What’s Your Dream?

"What about you, Ms. Chan? What’s your dream?"

(Scene: Outside the Teacher’s Room, a Secondary School in Hong Kong, 4:40 PM.)

(YOU, a 24-year-old Teacher, are leaning against the parapet wall on the second floor, holding a folder and some papers, with two basketball magazines tucked underneath.)

(The playground below buzzes with energy. Basketballs bounce, volleyballs soar, and students’ laughter fills the air. You linger for a moment, soaking in the lively scene before a familiar voice breaks your thoughts.)

Voice: Ms. Chan-Chan! What’re you looking at?

(You turn to see KIN, a cheerful 14-year-old from your Chinese class, grinning up at you. His mischievous energy is hard to ignore. You straighten up, feigning a serious tone.)

You: I’m checking the basketball court to see if a certain boy, who promised to meet me at 4:30, decided to ditch me for a game.

Kin: (grinning sheepishly) Ms. Chan, come on! I’d never forget my magazines. You didn’t burn them, did you?

You: Oh, I burned them. They’re gone. No magazines for you now.

(Kin, knowing you’re teasing, tries to peek under your folder. You shift it out of his reach.)

You: No point looking. I told you—they’re gone.

Kin: No way! You wouldn’t do that to your poor students. Please, Ms. Chan, give them back!

You: Why should I? I should charge you rent for keeping them in my desk all day. And you’re 10 minutes late.

Kin: Ms. Chan, you’re way too nice for that. Everyone knows you’re the coolest teacher in school.

(You roll your eyes but can’t help smiling. Finally, you hand over the magazines.)

You: Lucky for you, I’m feeling generous today.

Kin: Ms. Chan, you’re officially my Favorite Teacher of the Year.

You: Wait—so I wasn’t your favorite last year?

Kin: I didn’t know you last year. If I had, you’d have gotten all my votes.

You: Mm-hmm, smooth talker. But don’t think you’re off the hook. Where’s your writing assignment?

Kin: I… uh, left it at home. I swear I wrote it! Two whole pages!

You: Sounds like an excuse.

Kin: It’s true! I was working on it late last night, but I dozed off, and this morning I woke up at 7:52. Barely made it to school.

You: Hmm. Still sounds suspicious. But fine—I’ll let it go this time.

Kin: I knew you’d understand. You’re the best, Ms. Chan-Chan!

(You lean against the parapet again, looking at Kin thoughtfully. He stays by your side, flipping through his magazines, clearly in no hurry to leave.)

You: Kin, you’re always hanging around after school—talking to teachers, gardeners, cleaners, whoever’s around. Why don’t you head home earlier?

Kin: (shrugging) It’s just… nice here. Home gets boring fast. If I’m not at school, I’m out with Tan and Fat Bo, checking out Gundam model shops or comic stores to kill time.

(You sense he’s avoiding the topic of home. You know his mother passed away when he was eight, and his father works late most nights.)

You: Well, it’s good to have friends to hang out with. But if you ever feel like staying around, you’re always welcome to chat. Or if you need help with your Chinese—anything at all—just knock.

Kin: Thanks. It’s easier talking to you sometimes. You don’t feel like a teacher.

You: Should I take that as a compliment?

Kin: Of course! That’s why everyone likes you. You don’t boss us around. The other teachers are always like, “Don’t do this, don’t do that.” You’re way cooler.

(A moment of quiet passes. You glance at him thoughtfully before speaking.)

You: So, Kin… what’s your dream?

(Kin looks at you, a little surprised. He smiles, his eyes lighting up.)

Kin: My dream? That’s easy. Jay and I promised each other we’d play basketball overseas one day. We’ve been planning it since primary school.

You: Overseas? That’s exciting. Where?

Kin: Anywhere, really. The NBA would be the dream, but we’ll play wherever we can. Jay’s already better than me, but I’ll catch up. We’ll be on the same team, winning championships together.

(You’re momentarily surprised. Kin, small for his age, and Jay, the school’s basketball star, seem like an unlikely pair. But the sincerity in his voice stops you from doubting him.)

You: That’s a big dream.

Kin: Yeah. It’s not just a dream. It’s going to happen. Jay and I promised each other.

(You’re struck by his conviction. For a moment, you see not just a small, scrappy boy but someone full of ambition.)

You: I can tell how much it means to you.

Kin: What about you, Ms. Chan? What’s your dream?

(You pause, caught off guard by his question.)

You: You know, when I was your age, I wanted to be a comic artist. I dreamed of going to Tokyo to study art and work in animation. My grandpa always said I was good at drawing. But… life happened. I ended up studying education instead. It felt safer.

Kin: Wow, that’s really cool.

You: Yeah, but you know what? I’m happy being a teacher. I still think about it sometimes, though.

Kin: But you’re still young, Ms. Chan! You could still go to Japan and become a comic artist! And when you do, I’ll visit and get an autograph!

You: I haven’t drawn anything for too long now.

Kin: But you’re Ms. Chan-Chan. You can do anything.

You: Thanks, Kin. I’ll keep that in mind.

(Before you can say more, Kin’s friends—CINDY, JAY, TAN, FAT BO and MIMI—shout from the playground below.)

Cindy: Ha, here you are! (waving Kin's school bag) Kin! If you don’t come down now, I’m throwing your bag in the trash!

Kin: Cindy, don’t!

Cindy: You asked me to hold your bag, and we've been waiting 20 minutes while you're up here chatting with Ms. Chan!

Kin: Jay, don't let her toss my bag! I'm coming!

Jay: (grinning) Better hurry! You know nobody can stop Cindy when she's mad.

Tan: (laughing) Told you he was chatting with Ms. Chan again, didn't I?

Kin: Ms. Chan, I’ve got to go—she’s not joking!

You: Go on, Kin. Don’t keep your friends waiting.

(Kin grabs his magazines and starts to run off. At the top of the stairs, he turns back, holding up the magazine cover featuring two NBA players celebrating a championship.)

Kin: Ms. Chan-Chan, one day, this’ll be Jay and me!

You: I’ll be cheering for you.

(As Kin disappears down the stairs, you watch him go, his youthful energy lingering in the air. You glance back at the playground, your heart warmed by his unwavering belief in dreams.)

(Posted on 6.1.2025)

#MotivationalTalkWithFutureBasketballStar