My 12-year-old son carried his wheelchair-bound friend on his back during a camping trip so he wouldn’t feel excluded—then the next day, the principal called me and said, “You need to come to school right away.”

At first, I didn’t understand. Then another parent, Jill, came over and explained.

She said the trail was six miles long and difficult, with steep climbs, loose ground, and narrow paths where every step mattered. That all made sense… until she added, “Leo carried Sam on his back the whole way!”

My stomach dropped trying to picture it.

“According to my daughter, Sam said Leo kept telling him, ‘Hold on, I’ve got you,’” Jill continued. “He kept adjusting his weight and refused to stop.”

I looked at my son again. His legs were still shaking.

Then Leo’s teacher, Mr. Dunn, approached, his expression tense.