What do the stories of Karnik and Appasaheb teach us about making and keeping promises?

The accounts in Chapter 33 offer a lesson on the nature of human promises and devotion. The text notes that we are often devoted to making verbal promises but then hesitate when the time comes to act, causing our spirit to become downcast. Appasaheb's story is presented as a prime example of this common fate. In contrast, Karnik's story illustrates the benefit of acting on an initial good impulse without hesitation. The broader message is that a true devotee, one with undivided faith, will strive to act exactly as they have spoken. Sai Baba is described as being capable of granting the worldly or spiritual desires of such sincere devotees who prove their word to be true.