BABA WALKED UNAIDED FOR A FEW STEPS

 
After His second automobile accident on 2nd December 1956, Baba stayed in Satara for a week and then left for Poona. On 12th February 1957, He left for Meherazad. He had to come back to Poona for a checkup in April. He stayed with Eruch's cousin, Dadi Kerawala at the Botanical Gardens, Ganeshkind, Poona. In a letter dated 30th April 1957 to "Elinorkit" (Elizabeth Patterson, Norina Matchabelli, and Kitty Davy — the three Western women), Mani (Baba's sister) writes:

Eruch's cousin has offered us his cottage for as long as Baba wishes to stay in Poona. It's a nice cosy cottage (even if we're somewhat cramped for space) and the grounds are really lovely, with enormous mango and mimosa trees (in pink bloom, also the yellow cassis) where Baba walked along the shady paths every morning, using two sticks, and once getting into the momentum of it, would lift the sticks and walk unaided for a few steps. The utter joy of this is marred only by the increased pain it brings on, but we're hoping that it will soon pass and He gets used to this unusual exerting and exercise as Baba keeps walking every now and then. He seems restless and wanted a short change again.

In her letter of 30th April, Mani continues:

The first night here, all night, there were loud chantings, singing and drum beating in a temple nearby, and it is surprising that Baba rested in spite of it. Last night was definitely cooler here.

This place has a spacious verandah where Baba walks, and yesterday there was a lovely new variation in Baba's walking — the mandali got a sort of child's pram-chair, and Baba walked along pushing it (this is a wonderful change from the sticks and gives him more confidence in walking). He looked delighted pushing it along, and the part that tickles Baba and us was Jal (Baba's brother) who was sitting in the pram-chair! (For weight purpose). Baba walked straight and easily, looking like a daddy wheeling a rather overgrown child along the boulevard.

About His injuries, Baba said, "The fractured bone is getting set. In the opinion of the surgeon — who happens to be a Colonel — My progress is unexpectedly rapid. He told me that even a strong young soldier would have required at least six months to recover to this extent!"

One of the lovers requested Baba to take care of His body. Baba replied, "I have to come again and again in flesh and blood to bear the sufferings of humanity."