Suddenly one day an incident occurred which brought a thorough change in the situation, from obscurity to famous.
Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to beg oil from shopkeepers-Banias, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. This went on for some time.
The Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct No.
Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The banias were watching Him with curiosity.
Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it; and forced it fall in the container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took water in the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them.
To the surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and apologized.
Baba forgave them, after asked them i) You really had Oil?, ii) if they had not come to the Mosque to enjoy the pain which they expected him? ; and then iii) asked them to be more truthful in future & never again to take pleasure in other’s distress!.
The effect of this incident was marvelous. The contemptible pagal-Mad fakir, as they called him, was turned overnight into the Hero or the weird magician or the holy Sadhu of the place.
"I draw to Me, My man from far off or even across the seven Seas to Shirdi, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet"-Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual Guru-God 