What does Cholkar's story teach about the importance of fulfilling vows to Baba, especially when facing delays?

Cholkar's story in Chapter 15 offers significant guidance on the nature of vows and devotion. Cholkar faced a legitimate delay in fulfilling his vow due to his financial struggles, a situation described as the difficult "threshold-ghat." His response was not to forget his vow, but to undertake a personal penance by renouncing sugar. Sai Baba's subsequent actions, specifically calling for tea with extra sugar, showed that He understood both the vow and the reason for the delay. Baba's words, "The state of your mind at the time of the vow, and the penance of the long delay—Though you kept these secret, all of it is known to me," teach us that Baba values the sincerity and faith in our hearts above a rigid adherence to timelines, and He is aware of our struggles.