Baba had also brought another myna which he gave to Mehera. Mehera taught the bird to say "Baba, darling!" Baba loved this bird very much. Later though, the bird fell ill and despite treatment, it expired. It uttered, "Baba!" as it died.
It was buried on Meherabad Hill, and while its grave was dug, Baba remarked, "It is blessed."
Khorshed cared for other birds that had also been brought from Europe. During one period, Khorshed had a cut on her hand and, to avoid infection, Mani and Mehera began looking after the birds. One day they both cleaned the cage and put it in the sun to dry. They kept water and seed inside, but forgot to shut the door. Some of the birds flew away, but Baba did not display displeasure at this accident, in contrast to the similar incident that had taken place with Quentin Tod.
At one point, three baby parrots were brought to Meherabad. They looked quite ugly and weak, but after proper care they grew into beautiful, strong birds. Baba delighted in feeding them and afterward would instruct the women to make the birds walk for exercise to digest their food. It was a humorous sight to see the women nudging the baby parrots along, trying to get them to take a walk with their stomachs bloated.
During this period, two tame rabbits were also kept on Meherabad Hill and Baba would play with them and have them sit on his lap. The female rabbit later had bunnies, and the women mandali were occupied in looking after them according to Baba's instructions.
From the beginning when the circle of women was formed, Mehera would read Baba's dictation from the alphabet board when he was with the women mandali; but after Mani joined the ashram, she began reading it. Among the men, Chanji, Adi Sr., Jalbhai, and Adi Jr. were proficient in reading the board.
Having finished his medical studies, Dr. Nilu came to Meherabad on Tuesday night, 19 February 1935.1 Baba assured him that a hospital would soon open for him to head, and permitted him to move to Meherabad permanently. Nilu returned to Bombay on the 21st to pack his belongings.
Chanji and Kaka returned on the 20th, but Kaka was sent back to Bombay the same night.
When Baba had first returned to Meherabad, he was so weak that he could hardly walk. For a few days, he had to be carried down the hill in a chair and in his rickshaw. Chanji was deeply affected by Baba's condition. Describing it, he wrote:
Footnotes
- 1.Nilu had been engaged to be wed, but his fiancée ended up marrying someone else. Baba explained to Nilu that his sanskaras were related with the girl's from a previous life; hence Nilu had some contact with her in this life, but to wed her would have resulted in unhappiness for them both.