23. Tomato and Potato

Each Friday night after work,

Sardar ji would fire up his outdoor grill and

cook a tandoori chicken and some meat kebabs.

But, all of his neighbors were strict Catholics ...

And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating chicken and meat on a Friday.

The aroma from the grilled meats was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful

that they finally talked to their Priest.

The Priest came to visit Sardar ji

and suggested that he become a Catholic.

After several classes and much study,Sardar ji attended Mass...

And as the priest sprinkled holy water over him,

he said,

You were born a Sikh, and raised as a Sikh, but from now, you are a Catholic."

Sardar ji's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived.

The wonderful aroma of tandoori chicken and meat kebabs again filled the neighborhood.

The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors and,

as he rushed into Sardar ji's backyard,

clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him,

he stopped and watched in amazement.

There stood Sardar ji,

holding a small bottle of holy water

which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meats

and chanted:

"Oye, you were born a chicken, and you were born a lamb, you were raised as a chicken and you were raised as a lamb but now onwards you are a potato and you are a tomato...."