ChaptersChapter 18Page 2,715

Chapter 18: Final Mast Work: Prelude To Thunder

1949Page 2,715 of 5,444
Baba would not normally ring for Kaka between 9:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M., but on the night of 27 June, at about 9:50 P.M., Baba suddenly rang for him and gave him instructions for the men on watch not to make any noise and to be alert. Again at midnight, Kaka was called and Baba complained of being disturbed. Throughout his seclusion, Baba was not able to sleep for more than a few minutes — and Kaka was not allowed to sleep either!
On Tuesday, 28 June 1949, Ali Shah was brought to Meherazad from Meherabad at 9:30 A.M. Baba gave him a bath inside the cabin enclosure at 10:25 A.M. Kaka assisted Baba in giving the bath, and Baba then worked alone with the mast for 40 minutes. Kaka was called and Baba requested food for Ali Shah, which was brought. Baba fed him and then sent him back to Meherabad.
Jal Kerawalla was staying at Meherazad throughout Baba's seclusion and kept a diary. Meherjee and Nariman had also been called back, and they arrived that day to stay for a month. Arnavaz accompanied them, and stayed with the women mandali. Thus, besides the servants, Jal, Meherjee, Nariman and Kaka were the only men at Meherazad during the seclusion.
The Blue Bus had been placed directly under a neem tree, and that night Baba rang for Kaka at 10:20 P.M. and complained that the neem tree's small berries were falling on the roof of the bus and disturbing him. At 11:00 P.M. he rang again for Kaka and repeated the complaint.
On 29 June, Baidul, Babadas and Pandoba brought five mad and two masts, named Sadba and Bhagwan , to Meherazad, according to Baba's revised instructions. The seven men were taken inside the sealed-off area, where Baba gave them each a haircut and a bath. He dressed them in new shirts and loincloths, and presented them with sweets.
But one of the five mad turned out to be a beggar, and this upset Baba and he reprimanded Baidul. At three in afternoon, Baba sent this stern message to Baidul through Kaka:
I am surprised at the way you have done the work of selecting the mad and masts for me this time. This has brought adverse thoughts in my mind about you, and may God forgive me for it. I forgive you for your mistakes, and want you not to feel upset about it, and to remain cheerful.
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