What was the family's motivation for traveling to Shirdi, and how did Sai Baba respond to their plea?

The family's motivation to visit Shirdi was born from desperation after all medical treatments for their son's bone-cyst had failed. Chapter 34 explains that after exhausting all remedies, they heard of a famous saint, Sai Maharaj of Shirdi, who could heal diseases. They decided to try this "last resort," clinging to the hope that if this great Avaliya applied Udi with his own hand, the incurable disease might perish. Upon their arrival, they prostrated at Baba's feet and pleaded with him. In response, Sai, described as the embodiment of compassion, reassured the worried parents, telling them to be worry-free and giving them Udi to smear on the wound.