WILL YOU SWIM IN MY OCEAN?

 
Eruch was twenty years old, studying in college and would visit Meher Retreat with his family. On one occasion, Baba introduced him to his Western lovers. One day Baba asked him, "What do you want to become?"

Eruch replied that he wanted to study engineering at the college in Benares.

"What will you do by becoming an engineer?" Baba asked. He sent for Kaka and spelled out to Eruch, "Kaka was quite a big engineer in the Tata Company. Ask him what he did after becoming an engineer."

The mandali were expert at catching Baba's hints and would say anything to please him in a ruse. Taking the hint, Kaka said, "Engineering is totally useless! One may follow any vocation in the world, but to become an engineer is a sin! I was faced with so many difficulties in my job I wanted to die. There is no worse profession on earth than engineering!"

Baba then asked Eruch, "Did you hear what Kaka says about engineering? Would you be my engineer instead?"

Eruch replied that he would see what happened.

Eruch was a very strong young man. One day in Nasik, Baba asked Eruch to massage his legs. While Eruch was rubbing the muscles, Baba asked, "Do you know everything?"

Eruch answered proudly, "I have learned many things."

"Do you know how to swim?"

Eruch said yes.

"Will you swim in my ocean?"

Eruch burst out laughing.

Baba then directed him, "If you know everything, repair my chappals and bring them back within three minutes."

One of the leather straps had come loose and Eruch took the sandal, thinking: "If I don't stitch it in time, Baba will claim I was only boasting." He approached Freiny and asked if there was a sewing machine in the house. She pointed it out; Eruch turned it on and began repairing the leather strap.

Freiny's children Meheru and Naggu watched curiously as Eruch fixed the sandal. Eruch had told them to be quiet. He sewed the sandal and went back to Baba in seven minutes. Baba examined it and gestured, "Good, but you took so long."

"The proper tools were not available," Eruch replied.

Baba congratulated him on doing a good job and then asked, "Do you know carpentry? Tailoring? Cobblery as well?"

"Yes, I do," said Eruch. "My parents have taught me many things." Baba appeared pleased and praised Eruch's abilities.