Latu would never begin the day without first seeing Ramakrishna and saluting him. One morning for some reason he did not see the Master when he first woke up; so he shouted, “Where are you?” “Wait a minute — I am coming,” Ramakrishna answered. Latu kept his hands tightly pressed to his eyes until the Master came. Then he took away his hands and bowed down to his feet. Another morning when he did not see the Master right away, Latu again called for him to come to the room. But this time the Master answered by asking Latu to come outside. Latu walked out on the western veranda and saw the Master in the flower garden. Latu asked him, “Sir, what are you doing?” “Yesterday a devotee brought a pair of sandals for you,” answered the Master, “and I can find only one of them. A jackal may have taken the other, so I am looking for it.” Latu said in a plaintive tone: “Sir, please come here. Don’t search for that sandal.” “But I shall feel sorry if you can’t wear these new sandals,” replied the Master, “since it was only yesterday that the devotee brought them.” Latu anxiously said: “Sir, please stop. If you keep looking for my sandal, it will be harmful for me. My whole day will be spent in vain.” (The disciple is expected to serve the guru. The reverse is not only unusual, but is even considered inauspicious for the disciple.) Ramakrishna responded: “Do you know what day is really spent in vain? That day when the Lord’s name is not chanted.”