Tommy stood in his Spider-Man suit on the busy movie set. Crew members scurried past him, adjusting lights and cables. 'Rolling!' called the director. The camera flashes popped. Tommy grinned and struck his hero pose. He was ready for the scene.
The co-star Spider-Man tapped Tommy's shoulder. He handed the young boy a red gift box stamped with a silver spider emblem. Tommy tilted the box and heard a soft crinkle. His eyebrows shot up. What was wrapped inside?
Tommy peeled back the tissue paper. Inside sat a brand-new Spider-Man mask — a yellow birthday sticker on its forehead. The mask glinted under the set lights. He lifted it toward his face. The co-star Spider-Man did a dramatic double-take.
Tommy walked onto the set and stopped. The entire crew was waiting — streamers hung from the rigging, and a cake shaped like a fat spider sat on a table. The co-star Spider-Man threw his arms wide. The whole group charged forward.
Twenty arms wrapped around Tommy in one giant hug. He braced himself and then leaned in. The crew laughed and squeezed. The birthday cake glowed between them. 'Happy birthday, Tommy!' they shouted all at once.
Tommy sank into the pile of hugs. The cake candles flickered and cast warm gold light across everyone's smiling faces. He let out a loud laugh and wrapped his arms around as many people as he could reach. The director yelled 'Cut!' but nobody moved.
The young boy let out a loud laugh and wrapped his arms around as many people as he could reach. The director yelled 'Cut!' but nobody moved. He thought: this was the best scene ever.
The director yelled 'Cut!' but nobody moved. The crew just kept hugging, laughing, and singing happy birthday off-key. The young boy in the Spider-Man costume squeezed everyone back. It was the best surprise of all.