Can you explain the metaphor about the mother tortoise that Sai Baba used?

Sai Baba used the analogy of a mother tortoise to explain the nature of a Guru's grace and why he did not give formal, whispered instructions or mantras. As he described in Chapter 19, a mother tortoise can be on one bank of a river while her young are on the other, yet she nurtures them completely with her loving gaze alone. Her sight provides all the happiness and contentment they need, making any other effort useless. Baba related this directly to his own Guru, who protected and guided him with a 'merciful glance.' He used this story to reassure a devotee that his focused attention and loving gaze were the real spiritual wealth being offered, not a secret mantra.