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Follow That Dream

NCERT Class 9 · English Based on NCERT Class 9 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter is a letter from a mother to her daughter, Ming, encouraging her to pursue her dreams with passion, conviction, and realistic planning. It exists in the syllabus to help students reflect on the nature of dreams, the effort required to achieve them, and the role of support networks and personal sacrifice. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that dreams require more than wishful thinking—they demand intense dedication, a willingness to face obstacles, and the understanding that dreams can evolve over time.
Key Concepts (16)
Dream
A deeply held aspiration or goal that drives a person to invest effort, sacrifice, and time to realise it.
e.g. A student dreaming of becoming a doctor studies for years, sacrifices leisure time, and works hard to get into a good medical college.
Passion
A strong and barely controllable emotion or enthusiasm for a particular interest or activity.
e.g. A girl who loves painting spends hours every day practising and learning new techniques because she is passionate about art.
Conviction
A firmly held belief or opinion that something is imperative to realise.
e.g. A boy who wants to be a scientist has the conviction that his research can change the world, so he never gives up.
Sacrifice
The act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.
e.g. A student gives up watching TV and playing games to focus on preparing for a competitive exam.
Support network
A group of people who provide encouragement, help, and resources to someone pursuing a goal.
e.g. A student's parents, teachers, and friends who help him with studies and motivate him during tough times form his support network.
Wishful thinking
The belief that something will happen simply because one wishes it, without taking any action to make it happen.
e.g. A student who says 'I wish I could top the class' but never studies is engaging in wishful thinking.
Intrinsic motivation
The drive to do something because it is inherently interesting, enjoyable, or aligned with one's values, not for external rewards.
e.g. A student who reads books because he loves stories, not because he has to write a book report, is intrinsically motivated.
Obstacle
Something that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
e.g. Financial problems, lack of time, or family responsibilities can be obstacles to pursuing a dream.
Dreamscape
A world of dreams; the imagined or envisioned realm of one's aspirations and goals.
e.g. A student's dreamscape includes the college he wants to attend, the career he desires, and the life he imagines for himself.
Buoyed up
Kept afloat; supported or encouraged, especially in difficult times.
e.g. The student was buoyed up by the knowledge that his hard work would pay off in the end.
Plunge
To throw oneself into an activity with commitment and without hesitation.
e.g. After months of planning, she decided to plunge into her business venture with full dedication.
Uphill task
A difficult or challenging task that requires great effort.
e.g. Preparing for the board exam in just one month is an uphill task.
Wet blanket
A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm; a spoilsport.
e.g. When everyone was excited about the trip, he acted like a wet blanket by pointing out all the risks.
Status quo
The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues; the way things are currently.
e.g. Many students prefer the status quo of studying in the same school rather than moving to a new one.
Antithesis
A rhetorical device that pairs contrasting or opposite ideas in a parallel grammatical structure to highlight differences or create emphasis.
e.g. In the poem, 'Will it pull you forward or push you back in fear?' uses antithesis to contrast progress and fear.
Rhetorical question
A question asked to make a point or create an effect, not to get an answer.
e.g. The question 'Isn't it obvious that we must act now?' is a rhetorical question meant to persuade the audience.
How It Works
The Journey from Dream to Achievement
  1. Step 1: Develop a passion for a particular interest.
  2. Step 2: Build a strong conviction that realising the dream is imperative.
  3. Step 3: Count the cost in years of effort, financial investments, and sacrifice.
  4. Step 4: If the passion still burns, commit fully and plunge into the task.
  5. Step 5: Face the uphill road, buoyed up by the knowledge that you are doing what you love.
  6. Step 6: Use the prospect of success to keep on track when stamina runs out.
  7. Step 7: Rely on a support network of people who stand by you.
  8. Step 8: Be prepared for obstacles and consider them realistically.
  9. Step 9: If the burning conviction remains, go ahead and take action.
  10. Step 10: Accept that dreams may evolve over time, and new aspirations are no less valuable.
💡 Students often forget that the mother emphasises counting the cost BEFORE plunging, not after. Many jump into a dream without realistic assessment and then give up early.
Differentiating Dreamers from Achievers
  1. Step 1: Dreamers engage in wishful thinking—they say 'I wish I could be this or that' but never act.
  2. Step 2: Achievers move beyond wishes to invest effort, sacrifice, and time.
  3. Step 3: Achievers are willing to trade security for the pursuit of their dream.
  4. Step 4: Achievers persist even when circumstances change or obstacles arise.
💡 The key difference is ACTION. Students often confuse 'having a dream' with 'being a dreamer'—everyone has dreams, but only achievers act on them.
The Role of Support Network in Achieving Dreams
  1. Step 1: Identify people who can form your support network (family, friends, mentors, teachers).
  2. Step 2: Seek encouragement and guidance from them.
  3. Step 3: Accept help and resources they offer.
  4. Step 4: Acknowledge their role in your success, as winners do at award ceremonies.
💡 Students often think pursuing a dream is a solo journey. The mother clearly shows that even winners thank a host of people who stood by them.
How Dreams Can Evolve Over Time
  1. Step 1: Life circumstances may change a person's original dream.
  2. Step 2: New hopes and aspirations emerge, which are no less significant than the original dream.
  3. Step 3: To fulfil these new dreams, one must negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles.
  4. Step 4: The dream takes longer to realise and involves more people in the dreamscape.
💡 Students often think changing a dream means failure. The mother shows that evolving dreams are natural and equally valuable.
The Poem's Message on Personal Growth
  1. Step 1: Step up to the challenge alone—there is no crowd to see.
  2. Step 2: Choose between being pulled forward by the future or pushed back by fear.
  3. Step 3: Reject the ease of comfort and the status quo, as they prevent growth.
  4. Step 4: Take the hardest first step with self-belief, and do not turn back.
  5. Step 5: Let self-belief keep your future on track.
💡 The poem uses antithesis to contrast comfort vs. growth and fear vs. progress. Students often miss that the 'first step' is a metaphor for the initial commitment to change.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'wishful thinking' with 'dreaming'
✗ Everyone who dreams is a dreamer, and dreamers never achieve anything.
→ The mother distinguishes between wishful thinking (just wishing without action) and having a dream with conviction and action. Great men and women have dreams and pursue them.
✓ Dreamers who only engage in wishful thinking never achieve their dreams, but those who combine a dream with passion, conviction, effort, and sacrifice become achievers.
⚠ Misinterpreting 'plunge' as reckless action
✗ The mother advises Ming to jump into her dream without thinking, just follow her passion blindly.
→ The mother explicitly says to 'count the cost' first—years of effort, financial investments, and sacrifice—before plunging. It is a calculated, committed action, not reckless.
✓ The mother advises Ming to first assess the costs and obstacles, and only if the burning conviction remains, then plunge with full commitment.
⚠ Thinking the mother discourages dreams
✗ The mother is putting a wet blanket on Ming's dreams by listing all the difficulties.
→ The mother explicitly says, 'I am not going to put a wet blanket on your dreams.' She balances encouragement with caution, helping Ming make an informed decision.
✓ The mother encourages Ming to follow her dream but advises her to consider the years of effort, financial costs, and sacrifices involved, so she can pursue it realistically.
⚠ Confusing 'support network' with 'hurdle'
✗ Having many people involved in your dream makes it harder to achieve.
→ The mother says that for one winner, there is a group of people who stood by him/her. The support network helps, not hinders. The 'many more participants' in a later dream refers to more people being involved in the journey, not a hurdle.
✓ A support network of people who stand by you is essential for success; they provide encouragement and help, making the journey easier.
⚠ Misunderstanding 'dreams are not static'
✗ If your dream changes, you have failed or given up.
→ The mother says life itself may change a person's dreams, and these new hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream. Changing dreams is natural and can be equally meaningful.
✓ Dreams can evolve over time due to life circumstances, and new aspirations are just as valuable as the original dream.
⚠ Thinking 'the first step is the hardest' is literal
✗ The first physical step you take is the most difficult.
→ This is a metaphor. The 'first step' symbolises the initial decision to begin a challenging journey or change, which requires courage and self-belief.
✓ The line is metaphorical, meaning that starting something new or making a change is the most difficult part of personal growth.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of aspiration
Dream (as used by the mother)
Wishful thinking
A dream involves passion, conviction, effort, sacrifice, and action, while wishful thinking is just a passive hope without any concrete steps to realise it.
Value and significance
Original dream of younger days
Evolved dream later in life
The mother states that evolved hopes and aspirations are 'no less than' the original dream; both are equally valuable and meaningful, even though the path to achieve them may be longer and involve more people.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2-3 MCQs (1 mark each), 1-2 Very Short Answer Questions (1-2 marks), 1 Short Answer Question (3 marks), 1 Long Answer Question (5 marks) from the prose section; 1-2 extract-based questions (3-5 marks) from the poem; 1 writing task (email or speech) (5 marks); grammar and vocabulary questions integrated (2-3 marks).
Most asked: The qualities required to fulfil a dream (passion, conviction, sacrifice, effort, support network) · Difference between wishful thinking and actual achievement · Role of parents and community in helping children achieve dreams · The mother's balanced advice—encouragement with caution · Poem analysis: central idea, rhyme scheme, tone, imagery, symbolism, metaphor, antithesis · Rhetorical questions and their purpose
Don't skip: Long answer question on the mother's advice about pursuing dreams—balancing encouragement and caution (5 marks); Extract-based question from the poem on antithesis, metaphor, or central idea (3-5 marks); Question on differentiating wishful thinking from actual achievement (3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Great men and women become great because they have a dream and pursue it till it comes true.
  2. What differentiates greatness from the ordinary is the effort and sacrifice invested to realise a dream.
  3. To reach world-class standard in any field, one must pursue it intensively for at least ten years.
  4. A dream starts with passion, then conviction, then counting the cost, and then plunging with commitment.
  5. The road to a dream is often uphill, and you are buoyed up by doing what you love.
  6. When stamina runs out, the prospect of success keeps you on track.
  7. Every winner thanks a support network of people who stood by them.
  8. Wishful thinking is saying 'I wish I could be this or that' without taking action.
  9. Many people trade their dream for security or are changed by circumstances.
  10. The mother does not put a wet blanket on dreams but advises realistic assessment.
  11. Life itself may change a person's dreams, and new aspirations are no less valuable.
  12. To fulfil evolved dreams, you must negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles.
  13. The poem 'Believe in Yourself' uses antithesis to contrast comfort and growth.
  14. The first step is the hardest—it is a metaphor for the initial commitment to change.
  15. Self-belief is essential to keep your future on track.
  16. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB (alternate rhyme).
  17. The tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging, shifting from thoughtful to determined.
  18. The speaker in the poem is a guide who uses direct address 'You' to connect with the reader.
  19. The phrase 'status quo' means the existing state of affairs, often representing stagnation.
  20. A rhetorical question is asked to make a point, not to get an answer.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. According to the mother, what differentiates greatness from the ordinary?

  • A. Having a good support network and financial resources
  • B. How much effort and sacrifice people invest to realise their dream ✓
  • C. Starting to dream at a very young age
  • D. Being born with natural talent and ability

Answer: B — The letter explicitly states that 'what differentiates greatness from the ordinary is how much effort and sacrifice people invest to realise their dream.'

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a factor the mother suggests should be considered before pursuing a dream?

  • A. Years of effort required
  • B. Financial investments needed
  • C. The opinions of friends about the dream ✓
  • D. Personal willingness to sacrifice

Answer: C — The mother mentions counting cost in years, finances, and sacrifice, and assessing personal conviction, but nowhere suggests friends' opinions should determine dream pursuit.

Q3. What does the mother mean when she says 'you are buoyed up only by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best'?

  • A. External rewards will keep you motivated throughout
  • B. Your intrinsic motivation from loving the work sustains you when external energy runs low ✓
  • C. Others will provide constant encouragement and support
  • D. Success will come quickly if you love what you do

Answer: B — Being 'buoyed up' by doing what you love best refers to intrinsic motivation—internal satisfaction that sustains effort when stamina is running out.

Q4. The mother cites people whose dreams were disrupted by World War II and economic hardship to—

  • A. discourage Ming from pursuing her dream altogether
  • B. show that only wealthy people can fulfil their dreams
  • C. illustrate that external circumstances can prevent dreams while emphasizing she won't 'put a wet blanket' on dreams ✓
  • D. prove that dreams are not important in life

Answer: C — The mother acknowledges real obstacles but immediately clarifies she is not trying to discourage Ming, showing both realism and encouragement.

Q5. According to the letter, what is the relationship between passion and conviction in pursuing a dream?

  • A. Passion and conviction are the same thing
  • B. Passion comes first, then conviction that it is imperative to realise it ✓
  • C. Conviction must develop before passion can exist
  • D. Only conviction matters; passion is unnecessary

Answer: B — The letter states: 'It starts with a passion for a particular interest, then comes the conviction that it is imperative to realise it,' establishing passion as the foundation.

Q6. Imagine a student loves painting but is unsure whether to pursue it as a career due to financial concerns. Based on the mother's advice, what should the student do?

  • A. Abandon painting immediately because finances are uncertain
  • B. Count the financial cost realistically, assess if the burning conviction still exists, and then commit fully or not at all ✓
  • C. Wait for someone to give permission before pursuing the dream
  • D. Pursue painting without considering any practical obstacles

Answer: B — The mother advises: count the cost, assess if conviction remains burning, then plunge—this represents realistic evaluation followed by full commitment.

Q7. The phrase 'hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days' primarily suggests that—

  • A. newer dreams are always better than old dreams
  • B. people should never change their dreams
  • C. changed dreams evolving from life experience hold equal value and deserve pursuit ✓
  • D. only original childhood dreams deserve effort and sacrifice

Answer: C — The mother establishes that as life changes people, their new aspirations deserve equal commitment and are not inferior to youthful dreams.

Q8. Which of the following best captures the tone the mother uses in her letter to Ming?

  • A. Critical and dismissive of dream-chasing
  • B. Optimistic, encouraging, yet realistic about challenges ✓
  • C. Pessimistic and warning against all ambition
  • D. Naive and ignoring practical difficulties

Answer: B — The mother balances encouragement ('By all means follow that dream') with realistic assessments of obstacles, reflecting optimism tempered with wisdom.

Q9. According to the mother's example of publishing her book, what does she demonstrate about dreams?

  • A. Dreams achieved in youth are superior to dreams achieved later
  • B. People should pursue only their first dream and never change it
  • C. Dreams can evolve over a lifetime, take longer to realise, involve more people, and still bring genuine excitement ✓
  • D. Publishing a book is the only worthy dream worth pursuing

Answer: C — The mother's personal example shows that her publishing dream differs from youthful dreams, took ten years, involved many people, yet brings equal excitement and fulfillment.

Q10. The Academy Award example in the letter primarily serves to illustrate that—

  • A. only actors and filmmakers can achieve great dreams
  • B. winning awards is more important than the journey of dream pursuit
  • C. individual achievement is supported by a network of people who contribute to success ✓
  • D. thanking people is more important than the actual dream realisation

Answer: C — The mother uses the Academy Award winners thanking multiple supporters to demonstrate that 'for one winner, there is a group of people who stood by him/her.'

Flashcards

What is the main difference between a dream and wishful thinking according to the letter?

A dream is something you actively pursue with passion, effort, and commitment over years, while wishful thinking remains passive and never moves beyond mere daydreaming.

How many years of focused dedication does the mother say is needed to reach world-class standard in any field?

At least ten years of singularly and intensively pursuing a subject is required to reach world-class standard in any field.

What does 'plunge' mean in the context of pursuing a dream?

Plunge means to throw oneself completely and wholeheartedly into pursuing the dream with full commitment.

What role does the mother suggest a support network plays in achieving dreams?

A support network of people stands by the dreamer throughout the journey and participates in making the dream a reality, as seen when Academy Award winners thank many people.

According to the letter, what must a person assess before committing to a dream?

A person must count the cost in years of effort, financial investments, and personal sacrifices required to pursue the dream.

What does the mother mean by 'burning in your blood' when discussing dreams?

It means the dream must be so deeply felt and intensely desired that it becomes an essential part of who you are.

How can knowing 'you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing' help during difficult times?

This intrinsic motivation acts as an internal sustaining force that keeps a person on track when external stamina and energy are running out.

Why did the mother mention people whose dreams changed due to World War II and economic hardship?

She illustrated that external life circumstances can prevent dreams from being pursued, but this reality should not discourage current dreamers from trying.

What is a 'maze of hurdles' in the context of the mother's personal dream?

It refers to the complex network of obstacles, challenges, and difficulties that must be navigated to turn aspirations into reality.

Can dreams change over a person's lifetime according to the mother's experience?

Yes, dreams can and do change over time as life circumstances evolve, but new dreams are equally valuable and worth pursuing as original youthful dreams.

Important Board Questions

State whether the following statement is true or false: 'According to the mother, dreams and wishful thinking are essentially the same thing.' Justify your answer with one reason from the letter. [2 marks]

Identify the key difference: dreams require active pursuit, effort, and sacrifice over time, while wishful thinking remains passive and never progresses beyond mere imagination; cite the example of how many people never move beyond 'I wish I could be...'

The mother mentions that '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.' Explain why this realistic assessment of cost is important before pursuing a dream. [3 marks]

This serves two purposes: it filters out superficial wishes from genuine commitments, and it prepares dreamers mentally and practically for the long journey ahead, ensuring only those with true conviction continue; relate this to the concept of intrinsic motivation that sustains people through difficult phases.

The mother concludes her letter by sharing her own experience with publishing a book as a dream. Analyse how her personal example supports or challenges the main advice she gives Ming about following dreams. In your response, discuss how dreams can evolve and what this teaches about perseverance. [5 marks]

The mother's example shows that dreams can change from youth due to life circumstances, but new dreams deserve equal commitment and can bring genuine excitement; this demonstrates that the principle of pursuing dreams with passion and sacrifice applies universally regardless of when the dream emerges, teaching that life transitions do not excuse passivity but rather require continued pursuit of evolved aspirations with renewed networks of support and extended timelines.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Follow That Dream

Q1. Assertion (A):

Great individuals achieve their goals through sustained effort and personal sacrifice over many years.

Reason (R):

The mother states that what differentiates greatness from the ordinary is how much effort and sacrifice people invest in pursuing their dreams.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why greatness is achieved. The mother explicitly connects sustained effort and sacrifice to great achievement.

Q2. Assertion (A):

A person's dreams can evolve and change throughout their lifetime.

Reason (R):

The mother believes that dreams formed in youth should never be abandoned or changed, as they represent one's truest calling.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the mother explicitly states 'life itself may change a person's dreams.' However, the reason is false—she does not believe dreams should never change; she actually endorses evolved dreams as equally valid.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Reaching world-class standard in any field requires at least ten years of focused and intensive pursuit.

Reason (R):

The mother mentions this timeframe to suggest that most people cannot achieve excellence due to time constraints.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true (the mother does state the ten-year requirement), but the reason is not the correct explanation. She mentions ten years to emphasize the commitment required, not to discourage people from trying.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Follow That Dream

Case Study:

Rajesh, a 16-year-old student, has a burning passion for robotics and artificial intelligence. He spends hours designing circuits and coding programs. However, his parents are concerned about the long-term viability of such pursuits and want him to focus on traditional career paths like medicine or engineering. Rajesh is now at a crossroads, wondering if he should continue his passion or compromise for practical security. He learns that top roboticists have invested 10-12 years of intensive study before achieving recognition in their field.

Q1. Based on the mother's advice in the letter, what should Rajesh's first step be in deciding whether to pursue robotics?

  • A. Abandon robotics and choose medicine because it's more practical
  • B. Assess whether his passion for robotics is still burning and if he's willing to commit to years of effort ✓
  • C. Ask his parents' permission before making any decision about his career
  • D. Start a robotics business immediately to prove its viability

Answer: B

Q2. Which concept from the letter would best help Rajesh convince his parents to support his robotics pursuit?

  • A. The mother's emphasis on the importance of a support network in achieving dreams ✓
  • B. The mother's statement that dreams require financial investment
  • C. The mother's mention of circumstances changing lives
  • D. The mother's warning about the difficulty of the path

Answer: A

Q3. If Rajesh pursues robotics but faces setbacks after five years, what would the mother likely advise him based on her letter?

  • A. Quit immediately because five years is enough time to prove success
  • B. Abandon the dream because circumstances have changed
  • C. Consider whether the burning conviction still courses through his veins and continue if it does ✓
  • D. Switch to medicine to ensure security

Answer: C

Q4. Rajesh learns that famous roboticists had mentors and team members who supported them. How does this relate to the mother's letter?

  • A. It proves that talent alone is sufficient for success
  • B. It demonstrates the importance of the support network concept mentioned in the letter ✓
  • C. It shows that dreams cannot be achieved individually
  • D. It indicates that robotics is the best field for dreams

Answer: B

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