Tran had a strange and bewildering dream.
In the dream, he met a mysterious, powerful, and learned man who called himself "Doctor Strange."
When Tran asked how to earn other people's approval, Doctor Strange did not answer directly. Instead, he used his power to create a series of scenarios for Tran to experience firsthand. Whenever a scenario called for a decision, he presented Tran with choices.
At first, Tran's choices always led to tragic, terrifying, or even hateful endings. So he began trying options he would never have chosen before.
Some led to even more frightening endings, while others opened a way forward where there had seemed to be none.
As he kept making choices, Tran gradually understood: there was nothing wrong with working hard to achieve something, but there were many directions in which to put that effort. If one path was impossibly difficult and others were available, there was no need to stubbornly refuse to turn back.
Trying to win someone's approval was one example. Constantly pleasing them or giving way to them did not work very well.
Just as Tran reached that thought, every scenario vanished. Doctor Strange, in his red cloak, appeared before him once more.
Before Tran could thank him, the man smiled, stepped onto a Starlight Bridge, and drifted away.
At the same moment, Tran jolted awake.
He sat on his bed in a daze for quite a while, then looked through the window. Dawn was beginning to break outside the cabin.
After a hurried splash of cold water on his face, Tran's mind finally started working properly again. A chill ran through him as he thought:
*What exactly was that thing in my dream last night? An Evil Spirit disguised as Doctor Strange? Or was Doctor Strange himself nearby, using some dream-related ability