A person who has been badly frightened or traumatized by a past experience, and is now extremely cautious and easily startled by any similar hint or minor disturbance; like a bird that has been injured by an arrow and is now scared by the mere twang of a bowstring.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
Once upon a time, there was a master archer named Geng Ying, who was discussing his archery skills with King Wei.
Just then, a wild goose flew by from east to west. Geng Ying drew his bow and released the string without an arrow. To the king's surprise, the goose immediately fell to the ground.
Puzzled, King Wei asked for an explanation. Geng Ying said, 'This goose was already injured and had separated from its flock, flying low. When it heard the sound of the bowstring, it was so startled and terrified that it didn't know how to react. In its desperate struggle, its old wound ruptured, causing it to fall to its death.'