HE ESPECIALLY LOVED TO AIM FOR MASAJI

 
These very first days were so special to us. Only three of the men mandali were with Baba. Gustadji, Padri, and Masaji. And Baba slept with them on the Post Office verandah on the windowless east side facing the road.

It was now the beginning of winter, and the verandah was open to the chilly east breeze. Baba had no bed, just a thin mattress on a mat on the floor, and He would feel so cold at night that He could not sleep.

Baba also had no mosquito net, and a snake or scorpion could have easily crawled into His bedding for warmth. As Baba could not sleep, He would be sitting up by 3:30 a.m. with His blanket wrapped around Him, and at about 5 a.m. Baba would wake the mandali, however deeply they were snoring.

Baba would take His sandal and throw it at one of them; He especially loved to aim for Masaji, who would wake up, see Baba's sandal, and feel very happy. Masaji would get up, kiss Baba's sandal, and give it back to Him.