Right and Wrong

My child knew addition well

The formula down pat

She understood the concept

And could reckon simple math

I tested her on factors

"What's 2 x 2?" I asked

She quickly said, "It's 4, of course."

It seemed she had it grasped

"I didn't know you knew your times."

"Neither did I." was her reply

"Then how'd you get the answer right?"

"You've always said I'm very bright."

"Beginners luck!  What's 4 x 4?"

She replied, "8. . . got any more."

I said, "I'm sorry dear--that's wrong."

"My answer's right." She said headstrong

"I know that 4 and 4 are 8."

"That's adding dear and that is great!"

"But multiplied they are 16"

She looked at me inquiring

"But 2 x 2 is 4 you said."

"I did it right inside my head."

"That's right but wrong" I then explained

"The way you get there's not the same."

So I taught her the difference 

Between adding and multiplication

And that right answers can be wrong 

Under certain situations

That knowing truth is more 

Than parroting answers correctly

For how you deduce truth is proof

Of reasoning directly

Enlightenment can thus insure 

Our future calculations

Till brick by brick the pieces click

In grander realizations