A note of apology.

That may be one of the most telling details of the rescue of a dozen Thai boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach.

Nearly three weeks ago, Ekapol Chanthawong led his team on a hike into a cave system where they were trapped by heavy rains. A Thai diver died in the rescue effort. In social media, the coach has been pilloried as irresponsible. On Saturday, the former monk owned the mistake.

Mr. Ekapol apologized to the boys’ parents in a handwritten letter delivered by Thai Navy divers. But it was the forgiving response by Thai parents that stirred conversation in the Monitor’s daily news meeting.

“In the US, there’d be a lawsuit by now,” said one editor. “Teachers are revered in Thailand,” suggested writer Simon Montlake, who has lived and worked there. “Parents aren’t looking for someone to blame, certainly not teachers or a coach.”

That’s a refreshing perspective, no doubt shaped by the high esteem placed on education as a path to progress in Thailand and many other Asian nations.

The last of the boys emerged safely from the cave Tuesday. Soon, we will learn more about how they survived in the dank, dark caverns. But what may linger long after the headlines is a global lesson from Thai parents in how to practice respect and forgiveness.

Now to our five selected stories, including a rare collaboration to save the greater sage-grouse in Wyoming, an innovative journalism team in Michigan, and teaching life skills to children in Bangladesh.