When May was unfolding the whitethorn blossom Ulenspiegel, son of Claes, was born at Damme in Flanders.
A gossip midwife, by name Katheline, wrapt him in warm swaddling clothes, and, looking at his head, pointed out a caul on it.
"A caul! he is born under a lucky star!" exclaimed she, rejoicing.
But in a moment, lamenting and displaying a little black spot on the babe's shoulder:
"Alas," she wept, "'tis the black print of the devil's finger."
"Master Satan has been getting up very early, then," rejoined Claes, "if he has had time already to put his mark on my son."