She said, "For us, you are put to so much trouble. Now there is Meherwan to worry about. We have come to you with only problems."
Baba asked, "Do you love Meherwan or me?"
Gaimai replied, "To dedicate my one Meherwan at your feet is not enough; even were I to surrender a thousand sons, it would be nothing."
Her reply made Baba happy and he consoled her, "As you have come to me leaving everything behind, what trouble will it be to me?" Then he said, "You are not worthy of being Eruch's mother, but you are worthy of being my mother!"
On the 22nd, Baba had a letter sent to Masaji at Meherabad instructing him to bring Meherwan to Jabalpur, and he informed Gaimai that when Meherwan arrived, he was to stay with the women mandali. Meherwan was about eight at the time, and he was the first boy to remain with the women. Pappa arrived in Jabalpur on the 23rd evening and had a long talk with Baba.
The question of finding an "ideal boy" for Baba's work was still ongoing. Raosaheb sent one from Bombay on the 22nd, with Sheriar Mehrabanpur. The boy was humble, but weak and dull, and hence unsuitable. Chhagan continued to search for a boy, as did Jal Kerawalla and others.
Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 December 1938, were spent in Bhedaghat , or Marble Rocks as it is popularly known, about thirteen miles from Jabalpur. Baba stayed in the dak bungalow there with all. At 3:00 P.M. on the 24th he took them to see Dhuandhar Falls and to a Hindu temple with 64 idols of gods and goddesses inside.
On Christmas morning they took a boat ride on the Narmada River. Baba dipped his hands in the water and posed as Rano took a photograph of him. Gaimai observed wistfully, "How long the Narmada has awaited you, Baba!" Baba just smiled.
After their return from the river, Baba said, "While we were on the boat, I remembered a story about a Perfect Master."
The women eagerly requested that he tell it, and so he began:
There was once a Sadguru staying in a certain place with a few of his disciples. One night his mandali were conversing among themselves, saying that though they had stayed with the Master for the past so many years, still they had gained nothing. A Sadguru is all-knowing, and he of course knew what his disciples were talking about.