Who is Damu Anna, and what is the purpose of introducing his story in Chapter 25?

According to Chapter 25, Damu Anna is a 'well-to-do person from Ahmednagar' and a 'wealthy Kasar (bronze-smith)' who is a devotee 'devoted to Sai's feet.' The purpose of introducing his story is to provide a concrete example of Sai Baba's love for his followers and the principle that 'once one-pointed faith is established, Sai wards off all the misfortunes of that devotee.' The author presents Damu Anna's upcoming narrative as a 'novel story' that will demonstrate Sai's merciful nature and bring joy to the listeners' hearts. His introduction serves as a prelude to a lesson on faith and its rewards, reinforcing the chapter's theme of Sai's role as the 'Fulfiller of desires.'