The Sign of the Triple Distelfink is a Disney comic written and drawn by Don Rosa.
Gladstone's birthday has arrived, and the Duck family is holding a party for him at Grandma's farm. Gladstone however, doesn't want to go. After a freak accident on his birthday years ago, for some reason his birthday is the only day of the year he's very unlucky. He wants to avoid the party at all costs, but just like his good luck, his bad luck seems to be determined to get him to the party!
The Sign of the Triple Distelfink provides examples of:
- Birthday Hater: Gladstone hates his birthday because it's the only day of the year he has eternally bad luck. He stops it after his curse is broken.
- Funny Background Event: As Donald and Gladstone wonder if another lightning bolt under the good luck sign could bring them good luck, a lightning cloud can been seen hitting a sleeping Gus in the hay, who immediately goes back to sleep.
- Lightning Can Do Anything: The reason for Gladstone's birthday bad luck is because he was struck with lightning while he was under the bad luck sign. All it takes is another bolt of lightning under the gold luck sign for his luck to be restored.
- Pass the Popcorn: When Donald and Gladstone race to the barn to have the lightning strike them under the good luck sign, Scrooge asks the triplets to pass him the lemonade, wondering if Gladstone's luck or Donald's tendency for self-destruction will be more potent.
- The Reveal: Grandma reveals that before Gladstone's mother was born, Pa hired a traveling painter to finish the barn. He painted hex signs on it that ensure the new baby have good fortune, and it's the reason Daphne was born lucky along with her son.
