Doing a Reddit AMA to promote his forthcoming documentary I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story, one reader posed Spinney a question: "What has been your most meaningful interaction with a child during filming? Or maybe from someone who grew up watching you and relayed a poignant story?"

The full response is heartbreaking; you'll probably want an onion or two around to blame your tears on.

I got a letter from a fan who said his little boy, who was 5 years old, his name was Joey, he was dying of cancer.

And he was so ill, the little boy knew he was dying.

So the man, in his letter, asked if I would call the little boy. He said the only thing that cheered him at all in his fading state was to see Big Bird on television.

So once in a while, he wouldn't see Big Bird on some days, because he wasn't necessarily in every show. So he asked could I telephone him, and talk to the boy, tell him what a good boy he's been.

So I took a while to look up a phone, because this was before cell phones. And they got a long cord to bring a phone to the boy.

And I had Big Bird say "Hello! Hello Joey! It's me, Big Bird!"

So he said "Is it really you, Big Bird?"

"Yes, it is."

I chatted a while with him, about ten minutes, and he said "I'm glad you're my friend Big Bird."

And I said "I'd better let you go now."

He said "Thank you for calling me Big Bird. You're my friend. You make me happy."

And it turns out that his father and mother were sitting with him when the phone call came. And he was very, very ill that day. And they called the parents in, because they weren't sure how long he'd last.

And so his father wrote to me right away, and said "Thank you, thank you" - he hadn't seen him smile since October, and this was in March - and when the phone was hung up, he said "Big Bird called me! He's my friend."

And he closed his eyes. And he passed away.

And I could see that what I say to children can be very important.

And he said "We haven't seen our little boy smile in MONTHS. He smiled, as he passed away. It was a gift to us. Thank you."

Need something light-hearted to lift your spirits after that story? Check outSesame Street's parody of Oscar-winner Birdman, starring the big yellow bird himself. 

A very sweet and sad story, thank you for posting. :) Someone's last moments are sometimes the most precious.

Reminds me of me having visited my dying grandfather when I was a boy. He had Alzheimer's disease and was completely lost to this world. As his condition got worse my parents didn't want me to visit him in a nursing home as they thought I would be sad and wouldn't understand why he wasn't recognizing who I am.

Yet when he saw me, he seemed to recognize me, grabbed me by the hand and gave a huge and lasting smile. He hasn't recognized anyone in months, as they told me. The moment touched me profoundly. It seemed to bring him some real happiness and I'm very glad they let me see him. He passed away a few days later.

That one kinda left me speechless. What a sad story.

Oh god, I'm a sucker for stories like that. Loved it. I work in cancer care right now as a nurse and see a lot of sick kiddos like this little boy. It's fucking heartwrenching, since nine times out of ten, they're super sweet and happy-go-lucky like they don't even know they have cancer. Makes you love them even more.

Big Bird was always awesome. I remember seeing that scene when they talk to him about Mr. Hooper's death and how they didn't sugarcoat it or make it unrealistic. Sesame Street did a good job of not talking down to kids.

There's definitely truth in what you say to children can be very important. It makes an impact.

Good story. Thanks for sharing.

That's a fantastic story. Thanks for sharing it.

Thank you for sharing
LemonSlice, your story is also very touching. Reminds me of a few experiences I have had

Ouch. My feels.

Wow. Now I'm sad.