The intoxicating effects of the Master's wine had disturbed the routine of the school. However, from the 2nd of February 1928, Baba had again ordered the 20 select boys to attend the school regularly and be attentive to their studies. Some boys wanted only to sit near Baba and not study, but Baba made them resume their classes. Aga Ali carried out Baba's wish, and upon seeing his example, the other boys complied as well. Their studies now took on added force, and the teaching was imparted according to the prescribed curriculum. The boys were to appear for their final exams in the Missionary School in Ahmednagar, and it was astonishing that in the end all passed with good marks.
The boys' experiences over the previous two months — such as weeping uncontrollably out of love — caused false rumors to arise elsewhere. Some parents were saying, "Meher Baba is proselytizing to our children and turning them against their own religions." Some of the Muslims were saying, "Why should we allow our children to be kept near Meher Baba? He makes them touch his feet and is trying to convert them to Zoroastrianism." Others exaggerated what they heard was happening at Meherabad and were anxious about it. "Our children are losing their sanity there," they fretted. "The boys have given up their studies and are being taught meditation and yoga. They will become sanyasis [renunciants] and give up everything material. It is better if they are removed from the school." Still others claimed, "The boys are being forcibly detained in the ashram to extract ransoms from their parents."
Baba's order for the boys to return to their studies was in effect a ploy meant to alleviate the misunderstandings in the minds of some of the parents. It was rumored that their children were not paying enough attention to their studies. The boys were taken into confidence and told that they must appear to be studying hard; otherwise, they were liable to be taken away by their guardians, who had started coming to Meherabad to see for themselves what was going on.
Thus at the end of January 1928, these and other rumors were circulating and correspondence was received making all sorts of inquiries. Each letter was answered, assuring the parents that their children were being given the best possible care.
