There was once an expert archer, General Keng Ying, who served the state of Wei during the warring States Period (403-222 B.C.)
Once, while on an excursion with the king, General Keng told the him that he could bring down a bird with an empty bow. The startled king was amazed by this exclamation of skill, and asked the general if his archery ability was really that great. Keng assured the king he could do this. A short time later a wild goose was spotted flying from the east. Keng Ying aimed the bow at the sky and pulled once. The goose startled by the sound fell from the sky. The king praised his general's skill, but Keng Ying said to him, "It was not my skill at archery, but rather that the goose had some problems." "How did you know", inquired the king. "This goose was flying alone and not with his flock, and it was also flying quite slowly. His call was weak and when he heard the bow sound he responded in fright by falling."
The expression, "The Bird Scared of the Bow" is used as a metaphor to describe those people who meet with misfortune or trouble and are therefore easily frightened.
(Gerald Hatherly)