Can you tell me about the woman who came to Shirdi intending to fast, and how her story illustrates Baba's teachings?

Certainly. Chapter 32 recounts the story of a woman named Mrs. Gokhale who arrived in Shirdi with a firm resolution to fast for three days at Sai Baba's feet. This plan was in direct opposition to Baba's own philosophy of prioritizing food before spiritual contemplation. The text notes that Baba, being the "inner witness," was already aware of her intention before she even arrived. He had predicted to Dada Kelkar that he would not let his "children remain hungry" during the Shimga festival. This narrative serves as a practical example of Baba's teaching that fasting and penance were not the path he endorsed, and he actively intervened to ensure his devotees were nourished.