What is the purpose of the introduction to Chapter 36, and what new story does it promise the reader?

The introduction to Chapter 36 serves as a bridge from the previous chapter, which narrated a "beautiful story of the theft." It sets a devotional tone, emphasizing that listening to Sai's stories is a path to spiritual welfare that removes worldly misery. As detailed in the chapter's opening, its purpose is to increase the reader's thirst for devotion by promising another succulent story. After establishing the greatness of Sai and the power of his stories, Chapter 36 concludes its introduction by announcing the start of a new narrative concerning "Two gentlemen from Goa" who came for Sai's darshan.