Tommy sighed and said to his mother,

“I try,

 I try,

 I try!

I simply cannot multiply.”

“Go to your room and get some rest,

Tomorrow is your times-table test.”

“In this room I feel nothing but gloom,

Worse than my worst, worst nightmare.”

“Why despair, pulling out your hair?

That won’t get you anywhere.”

“Who’s there?” said Tommy.

“Why, I’m Mathadeeloo,

Here is my card, have a look or two.

Multiplication is my trade,

There’s really no need to be afraid.

Multiplication’s fun, you’ll see.

Now, hold this drum, just one for me.”

Bang. Bang.

“Oh! This is fun!”

“You see, Tommy, one drum times one

Is simply one.

Now try two.”

Bang. Bang.

“Thank you, Mathadeeloo!

Now I have two.”

“Yes, one times two makes two.

Let’s try three.”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“I see! One times three makes three.

This really is easy!”

Mathadeeloo smiled. “Good.

Now let’s put the drums away.

The noise has given me

A frightful headache today.”

With a wiggle of his nose and a flick of his shoe,

He conjured up two kangaroos.

“Count them once, it’s easy to do.”

“One… two!

So, one times two is two.

Are these real kangaroos?”

“Oh yes,  from Australia, far away.”

Clap!

Two more hopped in to stay.

Tommy jumped across the bedroom floor.

“One, two, three, four!

Two times two, that makes four!”

“More, more, more!” Tommy cried.

“I’ll open the window.

Tell me, what do you see?”

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

“One… two… three!

Three bumblebees!”

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

“Four… five… six!

Two times three makes six!”

Then more flew in, buzzing by.

“Seven… eight… nine!”

“Three times three, that equals nine!

Nine little busy, buzzy bees!”

Tommy flapped his arms and flew on his bed.

Mathadeeloo wiggled his nose and said 

“Achoo!”

“Now you’re ready for the fours,” he said.

“Open the door, what do you see?

“One… two… three… four!

Four members of the law!”

“You do?!”

And with that shout,

Mathadeeloo flew straight out.

“Thank you, Mathadeeloo 

Multiplication’s great!”

“Don’t be late.

Just concentrate.”

Tommy did his absolute best,

And passed his multiplication test.

Guess what?

You’ve guessed.

Tommy came out best.