Why am I telling you all this? Because it has a connection with this stretching of your feet and feeling free in front of me.
One day Gandhi told me in Gujarati, "Baba, you must speak now so that the whole world may listen to you." He had read some of my literature and also about my silence and Godhood in an issue of The Meher Message . I replied, "I will speak soon," but still the promise is not kept. Why? Because eternally it has been my habit to give promises and break them, because I am eternally free from all bindings. I told this to Gandhi, too. He laughed. Mahadev Desai knocked on the door and said it was time to go. But Gandhi told him to wait a while, because we were still discussing things.
Gandhi promised that when India became independent, he would join and be with me. These were his words. Look at this old man's heart! He had no equal! When everything was over, and he was about to leave, he asked, "Baba, why don't you wear a khadi cap and clothes?" I laughed much at his remark, and after embracing me, he left.
On the fourth day, [Gandhi's close associate] Shaukat Ali came. He was also on the same boat. He told Chanji he wanted to pay his respects to me. I permitted him to be shown into the cabin. After kissing my hand, he sat down on a chair near me. But, because he was hefty, the chair broke, and Rustom, Chanji and myself had to help him to his feet. Whenever there is anything comical, I enjoy it most. I like amusing stories more than serious talks. Everyone should have a cheerful face, loving and bright, although inwardly one may be suffering.
Baba was to go to the pandal to give darshan to the Arangaon villagers who had gathered for the dhuni.
He remarked, "There will be no end if I continue in this strain. It would be good for you to go out to ease yourselves before the dhuni is lit. We should all be free and open-hearted."
Then he continued:
I don't want to hide anything from you, so I am going to tell you what Pendu told me. He said one of you had approached him and asked if he could put some money at my feet. Now I will speak to all about it and make everything clear.