I have been gripped by every detail of the rescue operation of the five men in Laos who became trapped in a cave by rising rainwater. After being trapped for over a week, and after extensive rescue attempts, they were able to walk out of the cave on Saturday.

Every so often, a news story captures the attention of people around the world and unites us in hope and anticipation. 

Perhaps the best example of such a story is Jessica McClure, who widely known as "Baby Jessica.”  She was 18 months old when she fell 22 feet down an abandoned 8-inch-wide well in Midland, Texas, on October 14, 1987. Rescuers worked around the clock for 58 hours to drill a parallel shaft and free the trapped toddler. I remember being transfixed in front of the television watching every development in her rescue. 

What is it about certain stories that makes us stop everything and become emotionally invested in the lives of complete strangers?