Baba forgave them, then stated, "From now on, everything must be clear, open and truthful. Nothing should be kept secret and hidden. All are equal, and all should treat each other and accommodate each other equally. Everyone should try to be 100 percent honest, and should only speak the truth whatever the circumstances and consequences.
"The most important point to remember in all circumstances is to remain cheerful and happy. Spells of despondency, annoyance and disgust will assail you, but you should try not to show it on your face. Anger might come, but you should not express it."
Baba assigned duties to the companions: Kaka and Baidul were to attend to the kitchen work, preparing the food. Aloba and Murli were to wash the utensils. Don, Nilu, Adi Sr. and others were to bring water from a tenth of a mile away. Others were directed to wash and cut the vegetables, et cetera. Babadas was given no work other than having on his person at all times two small packets of important documents and letters for Baba. For baths, everyone was required to fetch his own water. A bath was compulsory that day, and when Ghani, usually quite lazy, drew his water from the well, Baba and the companions were quite pleased.
Ghani also engaged in some funny histrionics, grimacing and grunting for the amusement of all. While drawing water he would mutter: "O God, this well is so deep! ... O God, help me! I have to bathe today by Baba's order — even though it is quite chilly! Allah, please help me!" At one point, Ghani was panting for breath, and Baba ran to him and helped him pull up the bucket.1
While getting down from the truck in Supa that morning, Nilu had slipped and fallen but was not injured. In gratitude for this, Baba permitted the distribution of ten rupees' worth of jalebis. Nilu, who dearly loved sweets of any kind, and Murli went to town to get them. But they returned disappointed, empty-handed, since on such short notice not enough could be made fresh. The treat, however, was not canceled but postponed until the group reached Sirur.
Because they had not stopped at the town of Chas as originally planned due to the rains, Baba decided to remain in Supa an extra day so as to adhere to the original schedule.
Footnotes
- 1.Ghani had a heart condition, which may be why Baba helped him.