Driven by excitement of his eighth birthday, Ali couldn't wait to see what his dream present was. He imagined all year if his parents really understood the love he had for his favorite thing. Ali was facing the challenges of both hope and disappointment on the day he had been waiting for all year. Did he get what he had been wishing for, or was his disappointment beginning to seem familiar? Ali didn't want to have to pretend again that he loved his birthday presents or hide his disappointment if he received a gift that he didn't want. As Ali rushed from his bedroom in anticipation of an amazing birthday present, he ignored some of the house rules by shouting out loud, "What's my big surprise!" Then he thought, "Wow! Can it be true? Is this my imagination or am I dreaming?"