To elucidate this point, Baba cited instances of well-known devotees and disciples who never quit or forsook their Masters, even under the most adverse conditions and circumstances. He narrated the following story to illustrate his point:
A sadhu once took it upon himself to train a certain man in spirituality; but after years of labor he found no change in the individual. He then began instructing an animal which he found even more hopeless. But instead of returning to a human, he began "educating" a tree. This too resulted in failure. His last attempt was to teach a stone. But a stone is, after all, only a stone — whether it is a rock high in the Himalayas or a precious diamond on one's finger. And as much as he tried, the sadhu failed to bring about any change in the consciousness of the stone.
As a last resort, the sadhu picked up the stone and smashed it down on his own head, breaking his skull and killing himself! But by this action, the stone instantly gained Knowledge [Realization]!
Baba ended by saying, "If you wish to stick to your Master, then become like a stone. And remain like that with the Master."
Baba departed for Bombay the same day. He returned to Meherabad after one week, bringing more cloth which was to be used to make exercise uniforms for the schoolchildren.
On 13 June, an event took place at Meherabad which caused Baba to postpone his silence. Many birds had built their nests in the Post Office building and there were also termites in the roof. Gulmai was standing on a table cleaning the ceiling with a broom and, while extending, she fell down and severely sprained her ankle. Baba himself applied compresses to her swollen leg and changed the bandage daily. Afterward, he declared that he was postponing his silence until Gulmai was well enough to walk.
On Thursday, 18 June 1925, Baba again mentioned his upcoming silence: "Within a few days, I will begin keeping silence. All of you remember to hold fast to me — no matter what."
On Thursdays, Baba and the mandali had begun visiting Kaka Shahane's house, the Family Quarters, in Arangaon, for afternoon tea. Here the men would enjoy fine tea with milk, for a change, and snacks.