What motivated the family from Malegaon to travel to Shirdi, and what were their expectations?

The motivation for the family's journey to Shirdi is clearly outlined in Chapter 34. After all medical remedies, both native and foreign, had failed to cure their son's bone-cyst, and even expert surgeons felt helpless, the family was desperate. Word reached them of a famous Avaliya, or saint, in Shirdi named Sai Maharaj, who could supposedly heal diseases just by his sight. They decided to try this "last resort" with the hope that this great saint might avert their calamity. Specifically, they heard that if Sai Baba applied Udi with his own hand, even incurable diseases could be cured, and they were eager to gain this experience and bow at his feet.