Who is Damu Anna, and for what purpose is his story introduced in Chapter 25?

As detailed in Chapter 25, Damu Anna was a well-to-do bronze-smith (Kasar) from Ahmednagar and a devotee devoted to Sai Baba's feet. His story is introduced to serve as a clear example of Sai's love for his devotees. The chapter explains that this narrative will show how Sai wards off the misfortunes of a devotee with one-pointed faith, grants their desired objects, and removes their suffering. The author presents Damu Anna's story so that listeners can experience for themselves how the "Guru-Mother is an 'Ocean of Mercy.'"