Follow That Dream
Chapter 8 | Kaveri — English Textbook | A letter by Irene Chua
About the Text
This chapter is an excerpt from the letter collection "My Daughter, My Friend" by Irene Chua. In this letter dated 19 June 1995, a mother named Mum writes to her teenage daughter Ming, sharing life lessons about chasing your dreams with courage and realism.
A dream is only a dream until you act on it. The gap between dreamers and achievers is effort, sacrifice, and 10 years of focused work.
The Letter — Full Text (Simplified)
By all means, follow that dream.
Great men and women become great because they have a dream and they pursue it until it comes true. What makes greatness different from being ordinary is how much effort and sacrifice people put in to realise their dream.
To reach a world-class standard in any field, a person must pursue it singularly and intensively for at least ten years.
It begins with a passion for something, followed by the conviction (belief) that you must realise it. You must honestly count the cost — years of effort, money spent, and personal sacrifice. If the desire is still burning in your heart after all that, then plunge (commit fully)! The field could be sports, science, arts, business, or design.
The road will mostly be uphill. You will be kept going only by the joy of doing what you love. When your energy runs low, the prospect of success will keep you on track.
Look at the Academy Awards — a winner always thanks a whole support network of people. No one wins alone.
For many people, dreams stay as just wishes. They never move beyond wishful thinking. Some trade their dreams for security. Some circumstances like war, poverty, or family responsibilities force them to change paths — like people who wanted to study at Raffles College (now National University of Singapore) but could not due to the Japanese invasion in World War II.
I am not trying to put a wet blanket on your dreams — but you must also consider the years needed to chase them. If after weighing everything, the burning conviction is still there — go ahead and do something about it.
Life itself can change a person's dreams over time. These newer hopes are just as valid. To fulfil them, you must navigate through a maze of hurdles. My own dream of publishing a book took ten years. It was not my dream in youth — but it evolved, and I am excited about it.
So, I wish at least one of your dreams comes true too.
Journey to Your Dream — Flow Diagram
Why Dreams Remain Just Wishes
Imp Themes of the Chapter
- Pursuit of dreams: Dreams need more than just hope — they need years of focused action.
- Sacrifice and effort: True achievers count the real cost (time, money, personal loss) before committing.
- Support network: Behind every winner is a team of people who supported them.
- Dreams can evolve: Life changes people, and new dreams are equally valid and worthy.
- Realistic optimism: Mum encourages Ming while honestly warning her about obstacles — a balanced view.
✅ Check Your Understanding
I. True or False
| # | Statement | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reaching peak skill in a field demands focused dedication for about a decade. | TRUE |
| 2 | Significant effort and personal sacrifice are essential for turning aspirations into reality. | TRUE |
| 3 | The path to achieving your deepest desires has very little difficulty. | FALSE |
| 4 | A person's life goals and hopes can evolve over time. | TRUE |
| 5 | Having a strong support network is a hurdle in pursuing ambition. | FALSE |
| 6 | Pursuing a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice. | FALSE |
| 7 | For many individuals, aspirations remain wishes because they don't move beyond daydreaming. | TRUE |
📝 Critical Reflection
Extract 1 — Questions & Answers
Extract 2 — Questions & Answers
II. Long Answer Questions
- Pursue the subject singularly and intensively for at least ten years.
- Start with genuine passion and back it with strong conviction and commitment, investing time and money consistently.
🔠 Grammar in Context
First conditional = If + present tense, imperative (command/advice).
Example: "If the burning conviction is still there, go ahead and do something about it."
III. First Conditional — Imperative Completions
| # | If... | Answer (Imperative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | If the idea excites you, | ...pursue it without hesitation. |
| 2 | If you hear strange noises, | ...stay calm and call for help. |
| 3 | If this seems too hard, | ...take it one step at a time. |
| 4 | If you care about the issue, | ...speak up and take action. |
| 5 | If you finish early, | ...review your work or help a classmate. |
IV. Uses of 'Could' — Matching
| # | Sentence | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "It could be in any field—sports, science, arts..." | Possibility |
| 2 | "I wish I could be this or the other" | Unreal or hypothetical situation |
| 3 | "They could have preferred to trade their dream for security" | Past possibility or speculation |
| 4 | "...they had to go out to work so that they could support their siblings" | Past ability or purpose |
V. Fill in the Blanks — 'Could'
| # | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I wish _____ without worrying about money. (unreal) | I could travel the world |
| 2 | They _____ the shorter route, but they didn't know. (past possibility) | could have taken |
| 3 | When I was younger, I _____ without stopping. (past ability) | could run for hours |
| 4 | She _____ the library right now. (possibility) | could be at |
| 5 | _____ repeat the question? (polite request) | Could you please |
VI. Fill in Blanks — Correct Grammatical Form
| # | Blank | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It _____ (help) students gain practical knowledge. | helps |
| 2 | Traditionally, students _____ (learn) by listening to lectures. | learned / used to learn |
| 3 | In an experiential setting, students _____ (work) on projects. | work |
| 4 | They _____ (apply) what they have learned to new situations. | apply |
| 5 | A student studying science _____ (conduct) experiments. | conducts |
| 6 | A business student _____ (analyse) a case study. | analyses |
| 7 | Learners _____ (must/reflect) on what went well. | must reflect |
| 8 | This reflection _____ (help) them build deeper understanding. | helps |
| 9 | Experiential learning _____ (be) more effective. | is |
| 10 | More schools _____ (incorporate) it in future. | will incorporate |
🎧 Listen and Respond — Fill in the Blanks
This section is based on an audio announcement about vocational courses starting in school. Fill these blanks after listening in class (transcript on page 275 of textbook).
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vocational courses will begin in the month of _____. | July |
| 2 | The objective is to prepare you with _____ for future studies and jobs. | practical skills |
| 3 | Offered courses include Graphic Design, _____, Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills. | Digital Photography / Coding |
| 4 | Classes will be conducted by _____ at school. | trained industry professionals |
| 5 | Application forms will be available at the _____. | school office |
| 6 | Choice of course will be given to _____ applicants. | early / first-come-first-served |
⚠️ Verify blanks 1, 3–6 with the teacher's audio transcript (page 275).
✉️ Writing Task — Formal Email (Sample)
- Use formal language; no abbreviations (no "plz", "u", "asap")
- Include: From, To, Date, Subject, Introduction, Body, Conclusion, Yours sincerely, Name + Contact
From: student.ananya@email.com
To: director@designinstitute.edu
Date: 15 April 2026
Subject: Enquiry Regarding Summer Workshop on Designing
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Ananya Sharma, a student of Class 10 at Delhi Public School, New Delhi. I came across the announcement regarding the Summer Workshop on Designing conducted by your esteemed institute and I am writing to express my sincere interest in enrolling for the same.
I would be grateful if you could provide me with the following details:
- The exact dates and duration of the workshop
- The topics and skills that will be covered
- The eligibility criteria and fee structure
- The application procedure and last date for submission
I have always been passionate about designing and I believe this workshop would be a valuable step towards turning my interest into a career. I assure you of my complete dedication and enthusiasm.
I look forward to a positive response at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Ananya Sharma
Class 10-B, Delhi Public School
📧 student.ananya@email.com | 📞 9XXXXXXXXX
🌟 Learning Beyond the Text
Vision Board — What to Include
Great Personalities Inspired by Parents
💭 Reflect and Respond
- Parents can provide emotional support, financial backing, and guidance without imposing their own unfulfilled dreams.
- Community can offer mentorship, role models, and opportunities like workshops, scholarships, and internships.
- Teachers, friends, and community leaders form the support network that every achiever needs behind them.