What was the purpose of Sai Baba appearing as an unknown Fakir to Appa?

According to the analysis in Chapter 33, Sai Baba's appearance as a strange Fakir was an act of love for his devotee, Appa. The text poses a rhetorical question: "had there been no love for Appa, why would Baba come in Fakir form?" The primary purpose was to create a "pretext for Dakshina," giving Appa a direct opportunity to fulfill the vow he had made to give ten Rupees. This divine staging added "flavor to the story" and transformed a simple verbal promise into a test of faith and action. It was a mechanism for Appa to clear his self-imposed spiritual debt and prove his devotion.