What happened when a firewood cart tried to enter Shirdi during the Mahamari epidemic, and what does this incident reveal about Baba?

During a frightening epidemic in Shirdi, the villagers prohibited any carts from entering the village boundaries. According to Chapter 23, a cart filled with much-needed firewood arrived but was stopped at the gate. The villagers were in a dilemma, needing the wood but unwilling to break their own rule. They were about to send the cart away when Sai Baba heard the news and came to the spot. He stood in front of the cart, giving the cartman courage and breaking the villagers' stubbornness. The cart was then allowed to enter and was unloaded in the Masjid's courtyard. This incident reveals Baba's disregard for superstitious rules born of fear.