This means that a single traumatic experience can cause long-lasting, irrational fear of similar things. It warns against letting past hurts blind you to present reality.
The image of a well rope (which looks like a snake in dim light) is vivid and practical, drawn from rural life. It reflects a common human tendency to overgeneralize from bad experiences.
This saying validates the pain of past trauma while gently pointing out its irrationality. It encourages people to acknowledge their fear but also to distinguish between real threats and harmless reminders.
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