Why were people so surprised that Sai Baba climbed a ladder, and what was happening to the person whose house he went to?

The surprise surrounding the ladder incident, as narrated in Chapter 19, stemmed from Sai Baba's physical condition. The text explicitly states that Baba was often so weak he could only walk when supported by two people. For him to suddenly find the strength to climb a ladder to the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house was a miracle. He then crossed to Radhakrishnabai's roof. The reason for this, as Chapter 19 explains, was that Radhakrishnabai was suffering from a very high malarial fever and was extremely restless at that exact moment. Baba's mysterious action was a direct response to her suffering, showcasing his omniscience and compassion.