AHMEDNAGAR, DAMN BUGGER

 
Adi Sr. had written this nonsense poem about Ahmednagar:

Ahmednagar, damn bugger
Machhar ka ghar, Somwar pagar.
(House of mosquitoes, Get paid on Monday.)

Adi's sentiments were particularly appealing to Mehera, who considered Ahmednagar to be a deplorable place. She recited this poem to Baba also, but as he had told her never to use the word damn, Mehera had Meheru say that word for her*.

Mehera was not alone in finding Ahmednagar less than ideal. "We used to call Ahmednagar 'DDD' — drab, dry, and dusty," Mani confided.

One day, Mehera complained to Baba, "Why did you choose Ahmednagar as your headquarters? Why did you want to come and stay here? It's an awful place. It's so drab and dusty, and completely uninteresting. Out of all the places in India, why didn't you choose a better place? Why Ahmednagar? It is an ugly, dirty town. What a place to choose!"

Baba scratched his chin and pondered this for a moment. He looked a bit guilty and then admitted, "Yes, I really made a mistake. I seem to have gotten into the habit of it. At the time of Jesus, I made a mistake; I did it as Mohammed; and now I've done it again. But next time," he promised, "I will remember!"

Mehera — who naturally preferred green, lush, scenic locations, where there was plentiful rainfall — was so pleased to hear this. Her eyes widened. "Really, Baba?" she asked.

"I promise!" Baba said, and he left for mandali hall.

Mehera looked at Mani and asked, "Wait a minute, how are we going to know that next time he's chosen well because of his promise now?"

"Exactly," Mani said.

Mehera had to chuckle. "Baba was so sweet; he always had the right answer." And she became resigned to their situation: "Somehow, the Avatar always seems to be associated with barren places."