All of you take care of everything at Meherabad as usual. And take care of your health.
"Whenever you go out during the night, always carry a lantern with you. Always beware of snakes! I will save you from every calamity under the sun, but I won't help you if you are bitten by a snake. So be careful!
"Keep on doing your work. I have given you all of your duties. Continue doing them — every one of you. There will be no hitch in the work; although I will be silent, everything at Meherabad will run smoothly. You don't have to worry. I have my own reasons for keeping silence. I must do it.
"Stick to your jobs and do as I instruct you. Don't deviate from the work and don't worry about it. If you obey me, nothing will be difficult."
It was 8:30 when he concluded: "I am going to the Jhopdi now. All of you go to bed."
There were about 20 men around him. A few men made some comments, and within a few minutes the group dispersed.
The men began unrolling their bedding, and Padri went to urinate. He had only gone a few steps when he spotted a three-foot-long cobra. Lifting his lantern, he shouted, "Snake! Snake!"
The other men came running with the bamboo staffs, which were kept for such incidents. There was shouting and the whacking of staffs as the snake was being killed.
Baba heard the commotion and came out of his room.
"What is all the noise about?" he asked.
"Baba, we have killed a snake!"
"Who saw it?"
"I did," Padri reported.
"Were you carrying a lantern?"
Padri nodded yes, and Baba was pleased that he had done so. Padri then handed him a staff, and Baba crushed the head of the cobra.
He ordered Padri to wash his hands several times after burying the snake.
Then he repeated: "I am warning you all again. Be careful of snakes! Always carry a lantern and take care. Now I want everyone to go to sleep."
Meher Baba then walked over to the women's quarters and spoke with them briefly: "How fortunate you are that you have heard my voice so many times today! This incident with the snake took place to allow you to hear me speak for the final time."
He then departed and retired for the night, as Masaji kept watch.