Follow That Dream (Kaveri Unit 8): Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change
Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked
In Follow That Dream, Irene Chua writes to her daughter Ming that she should follow her dream, but first count its cost in years of effort, financial investment and sacrifice. She explains that greatness needs at least ten years of focused work, that winners are backed by supporters, that some dreams fail through circumstance, and that dreams may change over a lifetime.
Notice the main path: a dream grows, you count its cost, supporters help you win; but circumstances can change a dream into a new hope.
Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.
Understand Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change
The letter and its tone. The text is a letter from a mother to her teenage daughter, taken from the collection My Daughter, My Friend. It opens warmly with "By all means follow that dream." The tone is affectionate, encouraging and realistic. It is written to guide, not to discourage.
Step 1: the dream grows. A dream starts with passion for an interest and becomes a conviction that it must be realised. The mother says that great people become great because they have a dream and pursue it until it comes true.
Step 2: count the cost. Ming should count the cost in years of effort, money and sacrifice. The letter says world-class skill needs at least ten years of single-minded work. If the dream still "burns in the blood" after weighing the cost, Ming should plunge in, whether the field is sports, science, arts, business or design.
Step 3: the support network. At the Academy Awards every winner thanks many people. This shows that behind each winner stands a group of supporters. A dream is never followed alone.
Why dreams remain dreams. Some people only wish wistfully and never act. Some trade the dream for security. For others circumstances intervene: the mother knows people who dreamed of Raffles College (now the National University of Singapore) but whose destiny was changed by the Japanese invasion during World War II, and others who left school to work for their siblings.
Dreams that change. She adds that life may change a person's dreams. The new hopes are no less than the dreams of youth; they may take longer, need a path through a "maze of hurdles" and involve many more people. Publishing her book took ten years and was not her youthful dream, but it excites her.
Central idea. Pursue dreams with passion and realism: count the cost, commit fully, value support and accept that dreams may evolve.
Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change: key facts
- What the dream needs
- Passion
- Conviction
- Ten years of focused work
- Sacrifice
- Support
- Key ideas the letter mentions, not in a fixed order.
- Cost of a dream
- Years of effort
- Financial investment
- Sacrifice
- Quote: count the cost.
- Why dreams fail
- Only wishful thinking
- Security preferred
- Circumstances such as war or family duty
- Three reasons given.
- Letter facts
Writer Irene Chua Reader Ming Book My Daughter, My Friend - Use in a factual question.
How to answer Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change questions
Use this for questions on the advice in the letter.
- 1State who is writing to whom.
- 2Name the advice (follow the dream but count the cost).
- 3Give the reasons: ten years, sacrifice, support.
- 4Mention the limits: circumstances and change.
- 5Close with passion plus realism.
Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Counting the cost
Suppose a boy dreams of becoming a national-level swimmer. His coach asks him to list the early mornings, fees for training, and time away from friends before he decides.
Which advice from the letter does the coach follow? Answer in 2 lines.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Counting the cost.
- Years, money and sacrifice.
Answer: The coach follows the mother's advice to count the cost in years of effort, money and sacrifice before plunging into the dream.
Memory hook: Count it, then commit.
Tricks to remember Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
Y-M-S
Years, Money, Sacrifice: the cost.
Use it when: The three costs.
Dream, Decide, Do
Dream, count the cost, then plunge.
Use it when: The order of advice.
Raffles and the war
Circumstances can change destiny: Raffles College and the invasion.
Use it when: Example of dreams blocked.
Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Who wrote the letter · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The letter in Follow That Dream is written by
(a) Ming to her mother (b) Irene Chua to her daughter (c) a teacher to a student (d) a father to his son
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The writer is the mother, Irene Chua.
Answer: (b) Irene Chua to her daughter
Example 2: Cost · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
What does the writer mean by "count the cost"? Answer in 40-50 words.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Years of effort, money and sacrifice (1).
- Think before taking the plunge (1).
Answer: The writer means that Ming should think about what the dream will demand before she begins. She should count the years of effort, the financial investments and the sacrifices required. Only after weighing these costs, and if the dream still burns in her blood, should she plunge.
Example 3: Ten years · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why does the writer mention that world-class skill needs at least ten years? Answer in 40-50 words.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- It shows the time needed (1).
- Greatness comes from sustained effort (1).
- Prepares Ming (1).
Answer: The writer mentions ten years to show that excellence cannot be quick. Greatness comes from long, single-minded effort and sacrifice. By saying this, she prepares Ming for the patience needed and warns her against expecting an early reward from a dream.
Example 4: Academy Awards · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
How does the example of the Academy Awards support the writer's point? Answer in 40-50 words.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Winners thank many people (1).
- Behind one winner is a group (1).
- Support is necessary (1).
Answer: At the Academy Awards every winner thanks many people. The example shows that behind one winner there stands a group of supporters. It supports the writer's point that success is rarely achieved alone, and so Ming should value the help of family, friends and teachers.
Example 5: Realism or discouragement · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
A student says the letter discourages Ming. Do you agree? Answer in 100-120 words.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- A clear position (1).
- Encouragement in the letter (2).
- Realistic advice (2).
- Expression (1).
Answer: I do not think the letter discourages Ming. It begins with "By all means follow that dream" and says that great people become great by pursuing their dreams. The mother also tells her to plunge if the dream still burns in her blood. What she adds is realistic advice: count the cost in years, money and sacrifice, expect that the road is uphill, and remember that supporters help every winner. She admits that some dreams are blocked by war or family duty and that dreams may change, yet she says the new hopes are no less than the dreams of youth. She is not putting a wet blanket on Ming; she wants her to succeed with open eyes.
Where students lose marks in Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Saying the mother opposes the dream
The letter begins by supporting it.
Wrong working
The mother tells Ming not to follow her dream.
Right working
The mother says follow it, but count the cost.
Do this: Quote the first line.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks
Mistake: Missing the three costs
The letter names them.
Wrong working
Count the cost of money.
Right working
Count the cost in years of effort, financial investment and sacrifice.
Do this: List all three.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Treating the letter as a story
It is a letter.
Wrong working
The story of Ming.
Right working
The letter written to Ming.
Do this: Use the word letter.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Leaving out change in dreams
It is a key theme.
Wrong working
The mother's dream never changed.
Right working
Her dream of the book came after her youth and took ten years.
Do this: Mention that dreams evolve.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks
Exam tips
- Quote "count the cost" and name all three costs.
- Mention ten years and the Academy Awards for support.
- Give the Raffles College example for blocked dreams.
- Use "passion and realism" in a long answer.
- End with the idea that dreams may evolve.
Practice questions on Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The writer says that Ming should "plunge" when
(a) others tell her to (b) the dream is still burning in her blood (c) she has money (d) she is ten years oldHint
After counting the cost.
Answer
(b) the dream is still burning in her blood
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why did the mother's own dream change? Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Think of the book that took ten years.
Answer
The writer says that life may change a person's dreams. Her own dream of publishing a book took ten years to come true and was not her youthful dream, but it excites her. The change shows that new dreams can be as meaningful as the first ones.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Name two reasons why many dreams remain dreams, according to the letter. Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Look for wishful thinking, security and circumstance.
Answer
Some people only wish wistfully and never do the work, so their dream stays a wish. Others give up the dream for security. For still others, circumstances intervene: wars and family duties stopped some of the writer's acquaintances from reaching Raffles College or finishing school.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
How does the letter balance passion and realism? Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Think of burning in the blood and count the cost.
Answer
The writer asks Ming to follow her dream with passion, since it should burn in her blood. At the same time she asks her to count the cost in years, money and sacrifice. Passion gives the energy to start, while realism helps Ming to prepare and to carry on.
Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Suppose you are Ming and you have to reply to your mother in 100-120 words about a dream of becoming a writer. Use the advice of the letter.
Hint
Show that you have understood count the cost and support.
Answer
Dear Mum, thank you for your letter. I have read it twice. I want to be a writer, and I know now that the dream needs more than wishing. I have counted the cost: years of practice, money for books and classes, and many hours when my friends will be playing. I will work for ten years if needed. I also know that I will need support, so I would like your help and my teachers' guidance. If my dream changes on the way, I will not feel that I have failed. I will plunge, because the dream is still burning in my blood. With love, Ming.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Who wrote the letter?Show answer
Irene Chua.
2.To whom?Show answer
Her daughter Ming.
3.Which book is it from?Show answer
My Daughter, My Friend.
4.How many years does world-class skill need?Show answer
At least ten years.
5.What does she say the road is mostly like?Show answer
Uphill.
6.Which poem is in the same unit?Show answer
Believe in Yourself.
Follow That Dream: Counting the Cost and Why Dreams Change: frequently asked questions
What is the main advice of the letter?
Follow your dream, but count its cost and commit fully.
Why do dreams remain dreams?
Because of wishful thinking, a choice of security, or circumstances such as war and duty.
Does the writer discourage Ming?
No; she encourages her and adds realistic advice.
What does the letter say about changing dreams?
Dreams can change and the new ones can be as worthwhile as the old.