Can you explain how Sai Baba used a personal story to counsel a distressed devotee?

In an instance detailed in Chapter 19, an old lady was 'sitting in protest,' determined to get a mantra from Baba, even vowing to die. To change her course of mind, Baba affectionately called her 'Mother' and shared a story about his own Guru. He recounted how he too had a strong desire for a mantra but his Guru first asked for two paise, which symbolized Faith and Patience. By sharing his own journey of serving his Guru for twelve years with unwavering focus, he taught her the importance of these virtues over desperate demands. This story was the 'secret key of his Guruship' given to her with love to soothe the 'fever of worldly life.'