Ballad: The Perils Of Invisibility

In the whimsical ballad “The Perils Of Invisibility,” we meet Old Peter, who suffers under the tyranny of a tempestuous wife and battles with his considerable girth, measuring several yards in circumference. One fateful summer day, a diminutive fairy named Picklekin visits Peter, offering him three extraordinary gifts: boundless riches, eternal health, or the power of invisibility. Without a moment’s hesitation, Peter opts for invisibility, dreaming of the peace it will bring from his wife’s relentless nagging.

Fairy Picklekin grants his wish with the caveat that this power can be invoked at will. As she departs, she draws the ire of Mrs. Peter, who suspects the voice she overhears belongs to a rival of her affections. Eager to demonstrate his newfound ability, Peter vanishes from sight at a word, yet, in a comedic twist of fate, his clothes do not. This oversight by the fairy leaves behind a floating ensemble of attire, suggesting the presence of an invisible Peter, much to his dismay and his wife’s amusement.

The narrative takes a humorous turn as Peter realizes the limitations and consequences of his choice. His invisibility does not extend to his belongings, leaving him in quite a predicament—especially when he discovers his wife’s cunning countermeasure: hiding his trousers to expose his predicament. Despite understanding her scheme, Peter decides to turn invisible once more as she approaches, resulting in a comical yet problematic scenario where he stands, unseen by the naked eye but undeniably present, due to the conspicuous absence of his pants.

“The Perils of Invisibility” delivers a tale of humor, marital strife, and the unforeseen complications of magical gifts. It cleverly presents the moral that desires, especially those aimed at escaping life’s troubles, can bring about their own set of challenges—sometimes leaving one quite literally, exposed.