How did the perception of Sai Baba differ between the local villagers and other holy men during his early days in Shirdi?

In his early days, there was a stark contrast in how Sai Baba was perceived. Chapter 0 explains that the general public in Shirdi considered him an ordinary or even a mad Fakir because he wore torn clothes, sat in random places, and sometimes assumed a fierce form. However, other holy men recognized his greatness. For example, Anandnath Maharaj of Akkalkot, upon seeing him, declared, "This is a diamond. You don't know its true value. Even if he is on a dunghill, he is a direct diamond." Similarly, Gangagir Baba also recognized him as a "gem" of very great worth.