Who were Sai Baba's earliest devotees in Shirdi, and how did they serve saints and fakirs?

Chapter 0 identifies Sai Baba's earliest devotees as a group of three companions: Mhalasapati, Kashiram Shimpi, and Appa Jagle. Mhalasapati, who first named him, introduced Maharaj to his friends. The text explains that these three men had a practice of serving and looking after the saints, Gosavis, Bairagis, and Fakirs who frequently came to the busy village of Shirdi, providing hospitality according to their capacity. After meeting Maharaj, all three became his total devotees, continuing their service with a specific focus on him.