The "wise child" comes first in our reading of the four children, as if to say this child is ranked above all others; that being wise is the attribute to which all others should aspire. But what does it mean to be wise? Does it mean that a child is "smart" only in traditional ways - i.e. he/she does very well in school?

Is this definition of "wise" too narrow?

What might we miss about the "wise child" when we think only of "book smarts" or the ability to adapt to a particular teacher's methods of instruction?

What might we miss about the other children who are not considered "wise" in this traditional way?