The Dreamer LYDIA LI
The Dreamer
THE DREAMER It is a story about dream. Everyone has his/her dream, whatever his/her age. Meng is a dreamer. She wishes she will be a singer one day, but her mother does not allow her to do that.
How can we realize our dream without
any
support?
When
we
recognize the real situation, we still need to keep dreaming or giving it up?
1
The Dreamer
Contents About the Author ...................................4 Character list..........................................6 Prologue ................................................7 Chapter 1: a terrible day .........................8 Chapter 2: a pretty fairy ........................ 11 Chapter 3: a new me............................. 15 Chapter 4: a singer ............................... 19 Chapter 5: a faithful friend.................... 23 Chapter 6: a real world ......................... 28 Chapter 7: a decision ............................ 30 Reference ............................................ 32 2
The Dreamer
E4A 1097300015 Lydia Li Number of Words: [1802] Words in Oxford 3000: [96%]
3
The Dreamer
About the Author Lydia Li was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1993. When
she
was
still a little girl, she liked reading books. The favorite thing that she always does is lying down in a sofa, and reading a novel with a cup of tea.
This story is about a girl’s dream. The author wanted to be a singer in 4
The Dreamer
her childhood, so she wrote this story. One thing that the author would like to tell her readers is that “never forget the dream that you first had.�
5
The Dreamer
Character list Meng Lee, The narrator. Meng means dream in Chinese. She is a twelve-year-old girl and likes singing.
Mrs. Lee, Meng’s mother.
Crystal, A pretty little fairy. She brought a chance to Meng to let her be a singer.
Leo, A transferred student in Meng’s class.
6
The Dreamer
Prologue For me, 1st April is the date that I will never forget. On that day, I met a singular creature that changed my whole life………………….
7
The Dreamer
Chapter 1: a terrible day My name is Meng. I am 12 years old. My dream is to be a singer in the future, so I practice singing every day. My favorite thing is singing. I like both Chinese songs and English songs. I cannot live without music. That is what I have told to my mom. My mom is a serious woman, and she always forces me to study. She wants me to be a successful person such as a business 8
The Dreamer
woman or a lawyer instead of a singer. We have lots of arguments on this topic.
1st April 2011
Today, I was very glad that I had a chance
to
sing
in front
of my
classmates. My musical teacher said that I had a talent for singing. I cannot wait to tell this to my mom. After school, I left quickly, so I did not notice that there was a car in front of me. 9
The Dreamer
When this car bumped into me, I was thinking whether I would die or not. I felt sad that I had not been a singer yet and there are still many things that I want to do. After this serious car accident, I lost consciousness.
10
The Dreamer
Chapter 2: a pretty fairy “Where am I?” “And how come I cannot move.”
I heard that my mom was crying, but I was too tired to wake up. I just wanted to sleep I thought.
A few hours later… When I woke up in hospital, I saw a little girl on my right hand side. It was weird that she has wings. “Am I dead?” 11
The Dreamer
I asked. “No, dear, you are just dreaming,” she replied. “What? What are you talking about?” I saw her in doubt. “Have you been dreaming about being a singer for a long time?” she looked at me sincerely. “I want to be a singer because I enjoy singing,” I said depressingly. “But my mom doesn’t allow me to do this.” “I know, Meng, so I come to here to help you fulfill your dream,” she continued, smiling pleasantly, “I have told you that 12
The Dreamer
you are dreaming and now I am going to give you a chance to be a singer. After I disappear, you will be a real singer.” “So am I still living? Who are you actually?” I asked. “Of course, dear, you are still living. You are sleeping now, but you will wake up some day. What you wish in your dream will come true. Be careful, dear, when you are making decisions. As for me, I am a fairy, Crystal. I can make people’s hope come true in their 13
The Dreamer
dream, but only in the dream,� she answered. And then she disappeared.
I
had
no
idea
about
this
conversation. I hoped her words were true that I was just dreaming.
14
The Dreamer
Chapter 3: a new me “Where am I?” I wondered. I look around, and I found out I was in my room. I looked at my calendar. Today was 2nd April 2011. My mom was knocking my door. “Wake up! Meng, you are late for school,” she cried.
Now I knew I was dreaming. The real me was in hospital. I was in my own dream. And I had a chance to be 15
The Dreamer
a singer just like Crystal said. She gave me the opportunity to realize my dream. I cannot waste it. I understood that now it was time to show my talent.
I put a lot of effort into singing. I practiced for a big singing contest. If I won in this contest, I would get a chance to publish an album.
Fortunately, I got into final contest. I chose Leehom Wang’s song to sing. 16
The Dreamer
He is my idol. I would like to be a person like him. He can compose songs and write lyrics by himself. I hope I can do that one day.
During the competitive contest, I was very nervous, but I had great confidence
for
my
success.
My
performance is perfect—it was the comment that judges gave me. Finally, I won the contest. I did not surprise this result because I knew I can do this. 17
The Dreamer
Being a singer is my goal, and now I am much closer to it.
18
The Dreamer
Chapter 4: a singer In my dream‌ Now I am a singer. I am going to publish my first album. My mom congratulated me. She said I did a good job, and she would support me too. I am very glad about this. All I want is my mom’s encouragement. And I get it now even though it only happens in my dream.
After my first album published, I 19
The Dreamer
become popular. I get a lot of opportunities to sing on the stage. Besides my school works, I need to take many lessons about music and singing. On weekends, the dance teacher from my record company will train me. She said a good singer has to dance well too.
Day after day, I am busy with countless
lessons,
and
have
to
memorize all the lyrics in my songs. It 20
The Dreamer
is a nightmare for me. I am no longer happy. I sing because of many performances. I have no leisure time after taking these lessons. I cannot stand it anymore. “Where is my freedom?� I cried, and I want to escape from this. In the past, I liked to watch a movie or read a novel on weekends.
However,
I
cannot
remember the name of novel that I read the last time. I start to lose my passion for music. It used to be my 21
The Dreamer
favorite thing.
How can I do now? I really don’t know. I should be happy that finally I become a singer, but I just want to stay away from singing now.
22
The Dreamer
Chapter 5: a faithful friend I have been depressed these days. Even in the music class, I have no energy. My best friend, Leo, found this.
Leo is a transferred student from U.S. He likes music just like me. He has a great talent for piano, but he never thinks about being a singer or a pianist. 23
The Dreamer
During the break, he came to chat with me. “I am worried about you, Meng. You are upset these days. What’s wrong with you?” he asked. “I don’t know, Leo. I also want to know what’s wrong with me.” I answered, felt frustrated. “Now you are a popular singer. Isn’t it what you have been chasing for?” he wondered patiently, “Are you not satisfied with this?” “I used to be satisfied with all things, but now I felt tired.” I said slowly. “Do you 24
The Dreamer
know why I don’t want to be famous?” he looked at me seriously. To be honest, I do not know his answer, so I kept silence. “When you get something, you have to pay something,” he said, and still looking at me. I stared at him confusedly. I did not get his meaning. At this moment, he gave me a smile and
touched
my
head
as
an
encouragement. “It’s your decision, Meng. You would like to be a singer, so these things that you don’t like are 25
The Dreamer
your duty. You get your popularity, and you have to pay your time,” he explained. I didn’t say any word but cried. “When you choose one thing, you have to give up another. That’s a rule, Meng,” he said. “I’ve never thought about it, Leo. I lose too many things. At the beginning, I just like to sing, but gradually, I enjoy being famous. I didn’t know that I have to pay a lot to get this,” I said regretfully. “My dear friend, I know you will never 26
The Dreamer
stop your passion for singing just like me for piano, but it’s not necessary for you to be a singer. You can sing whenever you like. Singing is a hobby, not a career. You can choose another way to sing. If you change your mind, you won’t have any pressure,” he said. And now I realize what I really want.
27
The Dreamer
Chapter 6: a real world That night, I met Crystal again. “Dear, have you fulfilled your dream?” she asked. “Yes, I’ve been chasing my dream for a long time. Finally, I realize my dream is always here in my heart. I owned it at the beginning, but I found it at the end.” I replied. “Are you ready to go back to the real world?” she continued. “I can send you back.” “I’m ready.” I said firmly. 28
The Dreamer
In the real world… And then I came back to hospital. When I woke up, I saw my mom. She looks tired but surprised. “You finally wake up. You have already slept for two days,” she said eagerly. “Mom, I’m here. I’m alright now,” I answered.
29
The Dreamer
Chapter 7: a decision After several weeks, I came back to school. I had changed my mind. I did not want to be a singer anymore. Singing is my hobby, and music is my favorite. Eventually, I understand that my dream is singing, and I just forgot it once.
I made a decision. I want to invite Leo to be my partner. When he plays 30
The Dreamer
the piano, I can sing with him. We can be perfect in performances I think, and I know he will be willing to do this with me.
31
The Dreamer
References Pictures: http://www.amazing-preschool-activities.com/image-files/11_f airy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.queencitysound.org/images/stories/sing_7469.jpg http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/6202744/2/stoc k-illustration-6202744-musical-note.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3272975071_f8113298ce.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Kh0CZuWd0T8/TT_0TTHvCzI/AAAAA AAAJPc/65BhpcfYfsI/s1600/winx+fairy.jpg http://romanticlovepictures.com/downloads/Lonely_Girl1.jpg http://russlamberti.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Freedom pic.jpg
32
This is a story about a dream. Meng is a twelve-year-old girl. Her dream is to be a singer. How can she make a decision between dream and reality? What does she really want?