Chapter 8 Solutions — Follow That Dream

The mother's opening line — 'By all means follow that dream' — is a direct response to something Ming shared.

Given the letter's content (weighing passion against effort, sacrifice, years of commitment, and the possibility of societal or parental doubt), Ming most likely wrote about a specific dream or ambition she wished to pursue — perhaps an unconventional career or passion.

She probably expressed uncertainty or sought her mother's permission/support, which prompted the mother to respond with both encouragement and realistic caution.

'The first step is the hardest' is a metaphor because 'step' here does not literally mean a physical footstep — it stands for any initial action or decision to begin a challenge or change.

'Hardest' is also metaphorical: beginning something is not literally the most physically demanding moment but the most psychologically difficult — requiring the most courage, self-belief, and willingness to overcome inertia.

The metaphor compares starting a journey (literal step) to overcoming the greatest internal resistance (metaphorical hardness), making an abstract psychological truth vivid and concrete.

According to the letter, two ways to attain world-class (international) skill are:

1. Singular and intensive pursuit for at least ten years — 'to reach world-class standard in any field, one has to be singularly and intensively pursuing the subject for at least ten years.'

2. Starting with a burning passion and then building conviction — 'It starts with a passion for a particular interest, then comes the conviction that it is imperative to realise it.' Passion drives the sustained effort needed.