I'm curious about the role of offerings in approaching a Guru. What does the story of Kaka and the grapes tell us about this practice and Baba's response?

Chapter 35 explains that "It is not good to go empty-handed to the door of God, a priest, or a Guru." Following this principle, Kaka bought two seers of grapes with seeds to offer to Sai Baba. The offering itself, regardless of its quality (seedless grapes were unavailable), was the important gesture. Baba accepted this offering and immediately began distributing it to the devotees present, including the skeptical Boss Dharamsee. As detailed in the narrative from Chapter 35, Baba used this simple offering of grapes as a medium for a profound miracle, transforming them into seedless ones for Dharamsee to teach him a lesson and instill faith. This shows that the devotee's sincere gesture of an offering can become a tool for the Guru to bestow grace and lessons.