Wah!  All I could think about was the Sikhreht Society. Well that and frogs of course, the slimy variety. A cute little sticky toed tree frog crossed my path and hopped up on to a nearby branch; it turned and peered at me its bug eyes blinking. I couldn't help but wonder if it was someone I used to know, maybe that kid who hadn't been coming to class lately. "Ribbit" it croaked before hopping off.

"Hey sis, wait up!" I didn't want her getting too far a head of me just now. I ran to catch up, "Tell me about the Sikhreht Code” I begged.

“Ok but keep this to yourself, It is a sikhreht!”

 “Oh sure” I agreed, mentally preparing to take notes – (just wait till I tell the secret agent kid, he’s gonna think I’m so cool…)

“Little brother, I mean it, breathe just one word and it’s ‘fly’ alamode for you”! She warned.

“Um” I gulped “No problem. But sis, why all the secrecy?”

“Because, until you’re properly initiated, you are vulnerable to Ridhi Sidhi Sorts.”

“So Sis” I prompted again “What exactly is the Code?”

 “Ok” she explained, “Sikhreht is a Code of Ethics which initiated Warriors live by. The Khanda of Naam is very powerful and one who is entrusted with it promises never to use it for selfish gain” (There go my dreams of riches and power)

“Well then what is the point? And Hey, didn’t you use it to defeat the RidhiSidhi <psyco music> girl?”

“No!  Actually the Khanda of Naam deflects and protects one because it reflects negative energy, sort of like a mirrored shield. Well here we are. Let’s join the others. I’ll tell you more later.”

“Pinky Promise?”

“Sure Pinky Promise,” she winked.

I sat down between my Aunty jee and my sister, looking around checking everyone out carefully. (Hey I’m not taking any chances!)

Aunty Jee asked the Vaja ToR kid, "How about you read the 3rd pauree of Jap Ji Sahib and I'll explain?"  (The Vaja ToR kid was infamous for one thing and one thing only - breaking vajas.  He rarely finished a shabad without breaking a vaja.  This was mostly because he did simran for a rather long weak-hearted-need-not-wait-for-ardaas time (it was said that when he learnt a new shabad, he first figured out the simran keys, than he fit the rest of the shabad around them).  Raagi Singhs swore that some of their more subtle vaja keys simply died whenever he was around.  I have heard that the vajas have filed a lawsuit - they want a restraining order of 100 feet from this kid ( I'll keep you updated on the progress of the lawsuit).

Anyways, the Vaja ToR kid started singing the 3rd pauree in a high sach-khandi AKJ-sort of voice:  

gaavai ko thaan hovai kisai thaan ||
The True One's praises are sung with the amount of strength that the True One's hukam bestowes upon the singer.
 
gaavai ko dhaath jaanai neesaan ||
Some sing of the One’s gifts, and know these gifts to be His insignia.
 
gaavai ko gun vaddiaaeeaa chaar || gaavai ko vidhiaa vikham veechaar ||
Some sing of the One's Glorious Virtues, Greatness and Beauty. Some sing of knowledge obtained of the One, through difficult philosophical studies.

gaavai ko saaj karae than khaeh || gaavai ko jeea lai fir dhaeh ||
Some sing that the One fashions the body, and then again reduces it to dust. Some sing that the One takes life away, and then again restores it.

gaavai ko jaapai dhisai dhoor || gaavai ko vaekhai haadharaa hadhoor ||
Some sing that the One seems so very far away. Some sing that the One watches over us, face to face, ever-present.
 
kathhanaa kathhee n aavai thott || kathh kathh kathhee kottee kott kott ||
There is no shortage of words uttered in the One's praise. Millions upon millions offer millions of sermons and stories.

dhaedhaa dhae laidhae thhak paahi || jugaa juga(n)thar khaahee khaahi ||
The Great Giver keeps on giving, while those who receive grow weary of receiving. Throughout the ages, consumers consume.

hukamee hukam chalaaeae raahu || naanak vigasai vaeparavaahu ||3||
The True One leads us to walk on the Path. O Nanak, the One blossoms forth, Carefree and Untroubled. ||3||

A million questions arose in my little head about this pauree; but I could see that everyone was quite tired and wanted to head home for dinner, so I didn't ask.  But on the way home, I did ask my Aunty Jee how it is possible for the True One to remain carefree and untroubled while people are being turned into frogs and vice-versa.

Aunty Jee was driving with her eyes closed (as usual) and mumbled something about how much singing is going on!  Sometimes I really do wonder about Aunty Jee - does she really exist or is she just a figment of my imagination.  "Ow!", that wasn't part of my imagination.  That was part of my nightmare - yes, my holier-than-thou-by-at-least-one-turning-of-one-annoying-girl-to-one-annoying-frog, sister. 

She was softly teasing me "ribbit, ribbit".  I stuck out my tongue to her - that made her laugh even more. "Hungry ,are we?" she quipped.  I decided I have had enough of a day and just sulked until I got home; wolfed down some dinner (no, not frogged down … frankly speaking, just between me and the 3 of you readers, I am getting tired of this froggie business and am going to do what I usually do when I have a few moments alone - no, not simran, but sweet sleep).

"zzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ….."