In the Parable of the Talents, the master gives three workers three different amounts money. The five talent man went and made five more. The two talent man did the same.
But the one talent man did something completely different. Instead of doubling his master's money, he went out, dug his in the ground, and when his master returned, gave back what he was given---no more, and no less.
Why did he do that? Why didn't he follow the example of the two other workers and make more money? Because he was afraid. Instead of letting hope drive his actions, he allowed himself to be paralyzed by fear.
In the end, the thing that he was most worried about ended up happening anyways. His master came, saw, and passed judgment on account of his inaction. If he had only tried, things might have turned out differently.
