Meher Baba came out of his Jhopdi as usual at five o'clock on the morning of Friday, 10 July 1925. After a bath he went to the mandali's quarters. Everyone thought that Baba would not make his usual inquiries, but to their surprise, the Master questioned the mandali, the teachers and children about their health, sleep and the food for the day — all in writing. Thus from that day onward, in spite of his silence, Meher Baba was found to be quite alert to and mindful of all matters, especially regarding the duties of the two superintendents of the property, Behramji and Rustom.
From that day on for several months, Baba had a new companion; constantly with him was a young boy named Bal to whom he had taken a liking. Bal, an Arangaon Village boy, would accompany the Master around Meherabad with a pencil and paper, or chalk and slate so that Baba could convey whatever he wished.
Baba's nature was so outgoing and voluble that he had often spontaneously broken out into song or poetry. Hence, many of the mandali doubted he would be able to keep silence for a full year. But as the days passed, they were greatly impressed to observe that the Master never once spoke and remained silent in all circumstances, showing that he was in perfect control of himself. Although he would still participate in the bhajan programs, Baba's beautiful voice no longer was heard. Yet his hands would play a drum or finger-cymbals as accompaniment to the singers.
If Baba were to get angry at any of the mandali for their negligence, he would take his slate and whack it on their biceps or thigh, and they dared not say a word of protest or question why. There were three slates and one day, in a moment of irritation, Baba flung all three at someone! Eruchshaw, who was Baba's orderly at the time, took the major share of the sudden raps.
Meher Baba had observed silence four times before, but the silence of 10 July 1925 was to last until the end. He never uttered another word for the rest of his life.
Although Baba was observing silence, it did not seem to those around him that he was silent at all, nor did it interfere with his work. On the contrary, there was an increased intensity in Baba's daily activities at Meherabad.