Describe the first meeting between Chand Patil and the mysterious Fakir who turned out to be Sai Baba.

The initial encounter between Chand Patil and Sai Baba is a pivotal moment described in Chapter 5. While searching for his lost mare for two months, a disheartened Chand Patil was traveling back from Aurangabad. He came upon a mango tree and saw a Fakir wearing a cap and kafni, holding a short stick (satka). This Fakir, who was Baba, called out to him, offering a rest in the shade and a smoke from his chillum. He then astonishingly told Patil exactly where to find his lost mare near some streams. Upon returning with the horse, Patil was convinced he had met a great saint, or 'Avaliya'. This meeting was the catalyst for Baba's return to Shirdi.