Does Guru ever die?

I wanted to share something that I came across when I was marking my Year 8 student's assessment work. We watched "The Life of Guru Nanak" video animation and then based on that there was an assessment where students had to describe the different saaakhis (stories) and the teachings and message that one can learn from it. One student, a non-Sikh who didn't know much about Sikhi previously, wrote something very moving when describing the last scene of the video when Guru Nanak Dev jee leaves his earthly body and giving her explanation of it. She wrote:

"...People thought Guru Nanak had died. But they were silly to think this. How can the Guru die? If God does not die, then Guru cannot die because Guru Nanak had the sparkle of God in his eyes. Guru Nanak is part of God, so Guru can never die. I think that the Guru just fades away and comes back but he never goes. Guru didn't die. He faded away and came back as the next Guru..."

Reading this 12 year old's work put a smile on a face. I think she understood Sikhi more than some of us that are born in Sikh families. There were some really good work from some of the other students as well.

ਆਪਿ ਨਰਾਇਣੁ ਕਲਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਪਰਵਰਿਯਉ ॥
aap naraaiṇ kalaa ḏẖaar jag mėhi parvariyo.
The Lord Himself wielded His Power and entered the world.

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰਿ ਆਕਾਰੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਗ ਮੰਡਲਿ ਕਰਿਯਉ ॥
nirankaar aakaar joṯ jag mandal kariyo.
The Formless Lord took form (as Guru Nanak Dev Jee), and with His Light He illuminated the realms of the world.
(Ang 1385)

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!