CBSE Class 9 English Chapter 8 ‘Follow That Dream’, Line by Line Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from Kaveri Book
“Follow That Dream” is a beautifully written and deeply inspiring letter by Irene Chua taken from a collection titled ‘My Daughter, My Friend’. It appears in the NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book as Chapter 8. The letter is written by a loving and wise mother to her teenage daughter, Ming on 19 June 1995. In this deeply personal and heartfelt letter, the mother shares her most valuable insights about dreams, passion, sacrifice and the courage it takes to pursue one’s deepest aspirations in life. The mother beautifully balances warm encouragement with practical caution showing Ming both the joy and the very real cost of following a dream. The letter teaches us that dreams can only be achieved through passionate commitment, years of dedicated effort, personal sacrifice and an unbreakable belief in oneself even when the road ahead seems long, difficult and uncertain.
Question: What are the Important Keywords / Value Points of ‘Follow That Dream’?
Ans. The keywords of the poem are-
- The Power of Dreams, What Makes Greatness: The mother begins by establishing that dreams are the foundation of all greatness. Great men and women throughout history have become truly great not because of luck or talent alone but because they had a dream and pursued it relentlessly until it became a reality. What separates genuine greatness from ordinary achievement is the extraordinary amount of effort, dedication and personal sacrifice a person is willing to invest in making their dream come true showing that dreams without committed action remain forever just dreams.
- Ten Years of Dedicated Pursuit, The Price of Excellence: One of the most powerful and practically meaningful insights in the entire letter is the mother’s observation that to reach world-class standard in any field, one must dedicate at least ten years of singularly focused and intensive pursuit. This remarkable insight teaches us that true excellence is never achieved overnight. It requires years of patient dedicated and unwavering commitment showing that the most successful people in any field are always those who are willing to invest the most time and focused effort in their chosen pursuit.
- Passion and Conviction, The Starting Point The mother explains that every great dream begins with two essential ingredients, a deep and burning passion for a particular interest and the firm conviction that it is absolutely necessary to realize that interest at any cost. These two qualities together create the unstoppable inner drive that enables a person to overcome every obstacle and difficulty on the long and often painful road to achieving their dream. Without passion and conviction even the most talented person will give up when the road becomes too difficult.
- Counting the Cost, Honest Preparation: The mother’s advice to honestly count the cost of pursuing a dream, in years of effort, financial investment and personal sacrifice, is one of the most practically valuable pieces of advice in the entire letter. She is not trying to discourage Ming but to prepare her honestly and realistically for the very real challenges that lie ahead. This honest and caring approach shows the wisdom of a mother who wants her daughter to pursue her dreams with both passion and clear-eyed realistic understanding of what that pursuit will truly require.
- The Support Network, No Dream is Achieved Alone: The mother beautifully shows through the example of Academy Awards winners that no dream is ever achieved alone. Every successful person has a group of dedicated and supportive people who stand by them through every difficulty and setback. This teaches us that building and nurturing a strong support network of family, friends, mentors and well-wishers is not a sign of weakness but an essential and absolutely crucial part of any successful journey toward achieving a great and meaningful dream.
- Dreams Can Change, Life is a Journey: One of the most profound and deeply meaningful insights in the letter is the mother’s observation that life itself can change a person’s dreams over time. The dreams and aspirations that come to us later in life after our original dreams have evolved are no less valuable or worthy of pursuit than the original dreams of our youth. The mother’s own experience of chasing the dream of publishing a book for ten years, a dream that was not her original one, beautifully illustrates this truth showing that the most meaningful dreams are often those we discover along the journey of life.
Follow That Dream Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Chapter Title | Follow That Dream |
| Author | Irene Chua |
| Book | NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book |
| Chapter No. | Chapter 8 |
| Setting | A personal and intimate letter written from a loving mother to her teenage daughter reflecting on dreams aspirations and the real challenges of life |
| Narrator | First Person (The Mother, Irene Chua) |
| Theme | Dreams, Passion, Sacrifice, Perseverance and Courage |
| Tone | Warm, Encouraging, Honest, Practical and Deeply Loving |
- Follow That Dream Summary
- Follow That Dream Theme based Questions
- Follow That Dream Explanation
- Follow That Dream Summary in Hindi
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Question: Give a Summary of the Class 9 English Chapter ‘Follow That Dream’
“Follow That Dream” is a beautifully crafted and deeply meaningful letter from a loving mother to her teenage daughter that celebrates the power of dreams while honestly acknowledging their very real cost and challenges.
The letter begins with the mother warmly encouraging her daughter, Ming to follow her dream by all means. She explains that great men and women throughout history have become great because they had a dream and pursued it relentlessly until it came true. She tells Ming that what separates greatness from ordinary achievement is the amount of effort and sacrifice a person is willing to invest. She also shares the remarkable insight that to reach world-class standard in any field one must dedicate at least ten years of singularly focused and intensive pursuit.
The mother then explains the journey of pursuing a dream. It begins with a deep passion for a particular interest followed by the firm conviction that it is absolutely necessary to realize it. She advises Ming to honestly count the cost, in years of effort, financial investment and personal sacrifice. If after considering all of this the dream is still burning in her blood and she is ready to commit herself completely then she should plunge ahead without hesitation. The field does not matter, it could be sports, science, arts, business or design. The road will be difficult and uphill most of the way but the knowledge of doing what one loves and doing the right thing will keep a person going even when stamina runs low.
The mother also points out that every successful person has a strong support network behind them. She uses the example of Academy Awards winners who always thank a host of people who stood by them showing that no dream is achieved alone.
She then honestly acknowledges that for many people dreams remain just dreams. Some trade their dreams for security. Others have their dreams changed forever by circumstances beyond their control. She shares real examples of people whose dreams were destroyed by the Japanese invasion during World War II and people who had to give up school to support their families. She assures Ming that she is not trying to put a wet blanket on her dreams but wants her to consider all the years and challenges ahead before committing herself fully.
Finally, the mother shares her own personal experience. She tells Ming that life itself can change a person’s dreams over time. The dreams and aspirations that come later in life are no less valuable than the original dreams of youth. Her own dream of publishing a book — a dream she had been chasing for ten years, was not her original dream but had become just as precious and exciting to her. She ends the letter warmly wishing that at least one of Ming’s dreams comes true.
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Questions Based on the Themes of ‘Follow That Dream’
Question: How does the mother balance encouragement with caution in her letter?
Ans. The mother beautifully balances encouragement with caution throughout the entire letter. She begins by warmly encouraging Ming to follow her dream by all means. But she also honestly advises her to count the cost in years of effort, financial investment and personal sacrifice. She shares real examples of people whose dreams were destroyed by circumstances beyond their control. This perfect balance of warm encouragement and honest caution shows the wisdom and deep love of a truly caring and responsible mother who wants her daughter to pursue her dreams with both passion and realistic understanding.
Question: What does the mother mean when she says “burn in your blood”?
Ans. The phrase “burn in your blood” means to have a passionate and deeply personal desire for something that feels absolutely essential to who you are. The mother uses this powerful phrase to describe the kind of deep burning conviction that is necessary to sustain a person through the long, difficult and often painful journey of pursuing a great dream. She is telling Ming that if after honestly considering all the costs and challenges the dream is still burning this strongly inside her then she should commit herself completely and pursue it without hesitation.
Question: How does the letter justify its title “Follow That Dream”?
Ans. The title perfectly captures the central message and the overall spirit of the entire letter. The mother begins the letter with the words “By all means follow that dream” and the entire letter is a beautifully detailed and deeply loving exploration of what it truly means and what it truly costs to follow a dream with genuine commitment and unwavering dedication. The title is both a warm personal encouragement from a loving mother to her daughter and a universal call to action for every person who has ever had a dream worth pursuing in life.
Question: Describe the writing style of Irene Chua in this letter.
Ans. Irene Chua writes in a warm, personal, honest and deeply loving style that perfectly reflects the intimate relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter. Her language is clear, direct and completely accessible yet carries a depth of wisdom and genuine insight that makes every sentence feel meaningful and important. She uses real personal examples, historical references and vivid phrases like “burning in your blood” and “wet blanket” to make her advice feel completely authentic and deeply real. The letter moves naturally from warm encouragement to honest caution to personal reflection creating a beautifully balanced and deeply satisfying whole.
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Follow That Dream Lesson Explanation
Question: What is the main purpose of Irene Chua’s letters to her daughter Ming in the collection ‘My Daughter, My Friend’?
Passage: The following excerpt is a letter taken from a collection titled ‘My Daughter, My Friend’, by Irene Chua. Here she shares her deepest thoughts as a mother with her daughter, Ming. The letters celebrate the special bond that often exists between a mother and her teenage daughter. The mother shares valuable insights into life, equipping her daughter for its challenges.
Word Meanings
excerpt: a short part taken from a book or text
bond: close relationship
insight: clear and deep understanding
equipping: preparing someone
challenges: difficulties or problems
Explanation/Answer: This passage introduces a collection of letters written by Irene Chua to her daughter Ming. The letters show the loving and strong relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter.
Through these letters, the mother shares her thoughts, experiences, and advice about life. She wants to prepare her daughter to face life’s difficulties wisely and confidently.
Overall, the passage highlights the importance of guidance, love, and understanding in the relationship between a parent and child.
Question: How does Irene Chua encourage Ming to pursue her dreams in this letter dated 19 June 1995?
Passage:
19 June 1995
Dear Ming,
By all means follow that dream.
Great men and women become great because they have a dream and they pursue it till it comes true. What differentiates greatness from the ordinary is how much effort and sacrifice people invest to realise their dream. Do you know that to reach world-class standard in any field, one has to be singularly and intensively pursuing the subject for at least ten years?
Word Meanings
singularly: exclusively
by all means: certainly or definitely
pursue: continue trying to achieve something
differentiates: makes different
ordinary: normal or average
sacrifice: giving up something valuable for a goal
realise: achieve
world-class: of the highest quality in the world
intensively: with great effort and concentration
Explanation/Answer: The mother encourages her daughter Ming to follow her dreams without fear. She explains that successful and great people achieve their goals because they stay dedicated and work hard for them.
She points out that greatness does not come easily. It requires continuous effort, sacrifice, and strong determination. According to her, becoming excellent in any field needs at least ten years of focused and serious practice.
The passage inspires readers to stay committed to their goals and understand the value of patience, hard work, and perseverance.
Question: What step-by-step process does Irene Chua describe for turning passion into committed pursuit of a dream?
Passage: It starts with a passion for a particular interest, then comes the conviction that it is imperative to realise it. Count the cost in years of effort, financial investments and sacrifice. Then if it is still burning in your blood and you are ready to commit yourself to the task, plunge. It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business, or design. The road may be uphill most of the way and often you are buoyed up only by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing. When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track.
Word Meanings
imperative: necessary
plunge: throw oneself into the activity
buoyed up: kept afloat
passion: strong interest or love for something
conviction: strong belief
realise: achieve
financial investments: money spent for a purpose
commit: dedicate oneself
uphill: difficult
stamina: physical or mental strength
prospect: possibility or hope
on track: moving in the right direction
Explanation/Answer: The writer explains how success begins with a strong passion and belief in one’s dream. A person must understand that achieving goals requires years of hard work, money, and sacrifice.
If the passion remains strong even after considering these challenges, the person should move forward with courage and dedication. The writer says that success can be achieved in any field if one is committed enough.
The journey toward success is often difficult, but love for the work and hope for future success provide strength and motivation. Even when energy begins to fade, the dream of achieving success helps a person continue moving forward.
Question: What does the Academy Awards example illustrate about achieving success?
Passage: When you watch the Academy Awards for best actors and actresses and films, the winner always thanks a host of people that formed his/her support network. So, you see that for one winner, there is a group of people who stood by him/her.
Word Meanings
host of people: a large number of people
support network: people who give help and encouragement
stood by: supported during difficulties
Explanation/Answer: The writer explains that success is never achieved completely alone. During the Academy Awards, winners usually thank many people who helped and supported them throughout their journey.
These people form a “support network,” which includes family, friends, teachers, mentors, and coworkers who encourage and guide a person toward success.
The passage highlights the importance of teamwork, encouragement, and support in helping someone achieve greatness.
Question: What reasons does Irene Chua give for why many people’s dreams remain unfulfilled?
Passage: It is good to be able to fulfil your dreams but for a lot of people, dreams remain dreams. Although everyone at one time or other has wistfully said to oneself, “I wish I could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking. They could have preferred to trade their dream for security. Perhaps circumstances changed their lives. I know of people whose dream was to go to the then Raffles College, now the National University of Singapore, but the Japanese invasion during World War II changed forever their destiny. I know too, of people who had wished to finish secondary school but they had to go out to work so that they could support their siblings through school.
Word Meanings:
wistfully: longingly
fulfil: achieve
wistfully: sadly longing for something
trade: exchange
security: safety and stability
circumstances: situations or conditions
destiny: future or fate
siblings: brothers and sisters
Explanation/Answer: The writer explains that although many people have dreams, not everyone is able to achieve them. Some people only think about their dreams but never take action to make them real.
Others may give up their dreams for a safer and more stable life. Sometimes difficult situations, such as war, poverty, or family responsibilities, can completely change a person’s future.
The writer gives examples of people whose education and ambitions were affected by World War II or financial struggles, forcing them to work and support their families instead.
Overall, the passage highlights that while dreams are important, life circumstances can sometimes prevent people from fulfilling them.
Question: What key advice does Irene Chua offer Ming about pursuing dreams despite obstacles and life’s changes?
Passage: No, I am not going to put a wet blanket on your dreams, … but you will also have to consider the years you need to chase your dream.
After all the obstacles are considered, if the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it.
From my own experience, life itself may change a person’s dreams. These hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days. To fulfill them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more. For example, publishing this book is a dream I have chased in the last ten years. This was not the dream I had in my youth but my original dream has changed over the years. I am really quite excited about it. So, I wish at least one of your dreams comes true too.
Love, Mum
Word Meanings
dreamscape: a world of dreams
put a wet blanket on: discourage something
chase: try hard to achieve
obstacles: difficulties or problems
conviction: strong belief
coursing through your veins: strongly felt inside you
aspirations: hopes and ambitions
fulfill: achieve
negotiate: find a way through
maze: confusing network or situation
hurdles: challenges or difficulties
participants: people involved
Explanation/Answer: The mother explains that she does not want to discourage her daughter from following her dreams. However, she reminds her that achieving dreams requires time, patience, and hard work.
She says that after carefully considering all difficulties, if the passion for the dream still remains strong, then one should courageously pursue it.
The mother also shares an important life lesson, that dreams can change over time. As people grow older, their goals and aspirations may change according to life experiences and circumstances. She gives her own example of publishing a book, which became her new dream later in life.
Finally, she expresses hope that at least one of Ming’s dreams will come true. The passage teaches that dreams are valuable, but achieving them requires determination, flexibility, and perseverance.
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Follow That Dream FAQs
Question: Who wrote the class 9 story, ‘Follow That Dream’?
Ans. Follow That Dream was written by Irene Chua. It is a letter taken from a collection titled My Daughter My Friend. It appears in the NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book as Chapter 8. It is a deeply inspiring and beautifully personal letter from a loving mother to her teenage daughter Ming about the power cost and importance of following one’s dreams.
Question: What is the theme of Follow That Dream from the class 9 English Kaveri book?
Ans. The central theme is that dreams can only be achieved through passionate commitment years of dedicated effort personal sacrifice and an unbreakable belief in oneself. The letter also explores the importance of honest preparation a strong support network and the wisdom to understand that dreams can change and evolve beautifully over the course of a lifetime.
Question: What does the mother mean by “counting the cost” in the story ‘Follow that Dream’ for class 9?
Ans. By “counting the cost” the mother means honestly and realistically assessing all the sacrifices and challenges involved in pursuing a dream, the years of effort required the financial investment needed and the personal sacrifices that must be made. She wants Ming to go into the pursuit of her dream with complete clarity and honest realistic understanding rather than naive and unprepared enthusiasm.
Question: What examples does the mother give of dreams being changed by circumstances? Elaborate with reference to the class 9 English story ‘Follow that Dream’.
Ans. The mother gives two powerful real examples. First she mentions people whose dream of going to Raffles College was destroyed forever by the Japanese invasion during World War II. Second she mentions people who had wished to finish secondary school but had to give up their studies to work and support their younger siblings showing that circumstances can sometimes change dreams completely beyond our control.
Question: What is the moral of the class 9 English lesson ‘Follow That Dream’?
Ans. The moral is that dreams are worth pursuing with complete passion and dedicated commitment but must be approached with honest realistic preparation and a clear understanding of the true cost involved. The letter also teaches us that no dream is achieved alone that dreams can change beautifully over time and that the most important quality any dreamer needs is the burning conviction to keep going even when the road ahead seems impossibly long and difficult.
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Summary of the Lesson Follow That Dream in Hindi
“उस सपने का पीछा करो” आयरीन चुआ द्वारा लिखा गया एक बेहद प्रेरणादायक और भावुक पत्र है। यह पत्र ‘My Daughter, My Friend’ नामक संग्रह से लिया गया है और NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book में Chapter 8 के रूप में है। यह पत्र एक प्यारी और समझदार माँ ने अपनी किशोर बेटी मिंग को 19 जून 1995 को लिखा था। इस पत्र में माँ अपनी बेटी के साथ सपनों, जुनून, बलिदान और जीवन में अपने सपनों को पूरा करने के साहस के बारे में अपने सबसे मूल्यवान विचार साझा करती है।
पत्र की शुरुआत माँ इन गर्मजोशी भरे शब्दों से करती है, “हर हाल में उस सपने का पीछा करो।” वह मिंग को बताती है कि इतिहास के महान पुरुषों और महिलाओं ने इसलिए महानता हासिल की क्योंकि उनके पास एक सपना था और उन्होंने उसे सच होने तक पूरी लगन से उसका पीछा किया। माँ कहती है कि साधारण और महान के बीच का फर्क सिर्फ इतना है कि एक व्यक्ति अपने सपने को पूरा करने के लिए कितना प्रयास और बलिदान करने को तैयार है। वह यह भी बताती है कि किसी भी क्षेत्र में विश्व स्तरीय महारत हासिल करने के लिए कम से कम दस साल की एकाग्र और गहन मेहनत जरूरी है।
इसके बाद माँ सपने को पूरा करने की यात्रा के बारे में बताती है। वह कहती है कि हर बड़े सपने की शुरुआत किसी विशेष रुचि के प्रति गहरे जुनून से होती है और फिर आती है यह दृढ़ धारणा कि उस रुचि को पूरा करना बिल्कुल जरूरी है। माँ मिंग को सलाह देती है कि वह ईमानदारी से इसकी कीमत आँके, वर्षों की मेहनत, आर्थिक निवेश और व्यक्तिगत बलिदान। अगर यह सब सोचने के बाद भी सपना उसके खून में जल रहा है और वह खुद को इस काम में पूरी तरह लगाने के लिए तैयार है तो बिना हिचकिचाए आगे बढ़ जाए। यह कोई भी क्षेत्र हो सकता है, खेल, विज्ञान, कला, व्यापार या डिजाइन। रास्ता ज्यादातर समय चढ़ाई वाला होगा लेकिन यह जानना कि वह वही कर रही है जो उसे सबसे अच्छा लगता है और जो सही है, यही उसे आगे बढ़ाता रहेगा।
माँ यह भी बताती है कि हर सफल इंसान के पीछे एक मजबूत सहायक नेटवर्क होता है। वह Academy Awards विजेताओं का उदाहरण देती है जो हमेशा उन लोगों का धन्यवाद करते हैं जो उनके साथ खड़े रहे। इससे यह सीख मिलती है कि कोई भी सपना अकेले पूरा नहीं होता।
माँ ईमानदारी से यह भी स्वीकार करती है कि बहुत से लोगों के सपने सिर्फ सपने ही रह जाते हैं। कुछ लोग सपनों को सुरक्षा के लिए छोड़ देते हैं तो कुछ की परिस्थितियाँ उनके नियंत्रण से बाहर हो जाती हैं। वह उन लोगों का उदाहरण देती है जिनके सपने द्वितीय विश्वयुद्ध में जापानी आक्रमण की वजह से टूट गए और उन लोगों का भी जिन्हें अपने भाई-बहनों की पढ़ाई के लिए खुद की पढ़ाई छोड़नी पड़ी। माँ मिंग को आश्वस्त करती है कि वह उसके सपनों पर पानी नहीं फेरना चाहती बल्कि चाहती है कि वह आगे के सालों और चुनौतियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए अपना फैसला करे।
अंत में माँ अपना निजी अनुभव साझा करती है। वह बताती है कि जीवन स्वयं एक इंसान के सपनों को बदल सकता है। बाद में आने वाले सपने और आकांक्षाएँ युवावस्था के मूल सपनों से कम मूल्यवान नहीं होतीं। उनका खुद का सपना एक किताब प्रकाशित करने का था, एक ऐसा सपना जिसका वे पिछले दस सालों से पीछा कर रही थीं। यह उनका मूल सपना नहीं था लेकिन वह उनके लिए उतना ही कीमती और रोमांचक था। पत्र का अंत माँ इन प्यार भरे शब्दों के साथ करती है कि वह चाहती है कि मिंग के कम से कम एक सपने को पूरा होते हुए देखे।
यह पत्र हमें सिखाता है कि सपने जुनून, दृढ़ विश्वास, ईमानदारी और अटूट प्रतिबद्धता से ही पूरे होते हैं। सपने बदल सकते हैं लेकिन उन्हें पूरा करने की लगन कभी नहीं बदलनी चाहिए।