Optical illusions have a knack for capturing our imaginations and testing our perceptions, and a recent image circulating online has certainly done just that, leaving many Australians scratching their heads in confusion.

The image in question, which has been compared to an adult version of 'Where's Wally', features an Apple Pencil so cleverly camouflaged against a white rolling storage trolley that it has become the subject of viral fascination.

The Mysterious Apple Pencil​

The photo was shared on social media by a man whose wife had misplaced her Apple Pencil. The post, which has garnered over 100,000 likes and sparked more than 3,000 comments, reveals that the elusive tech item was hiding in plain sight all along.


The man explained that after his wife had lost her Apple Pencil four months ago and replaced it, they stumbled upon the original, perfectly blending into their white storage unit. The couple, amused by the discovery, decided to turn it into a challenge for the internet's keen-eyed detectives.

The Challenge to Spot the Hidden Pencil​

As it turns out, the task was not an easy one. Many users spent minutes, even hours, searching, with some admitting defeat and others questioning their knowledge of what an Apple Pencil even looks like. The frustration was palpable, with comments such as ‘This is messing with me,’ highlighting the level of difficulty.

But as with most puzzles, there were a few who triumphed, spotting the pencil and sharing their victory by reposting the image, this time with a helpful red circle highlighting the Apple Pencil’s location. It was revealed to be magnetically attached to the bar between the bottom and middle baskets on the right-hand side of the trolley, sitting vertically and blending seamlessly with its surroundings.

Theories Behind the Hidden Pencil​

The original poster theorised that the pencil had been placed on the side of the trolley, which doubled as a nightstand, but had slid down and possibly spun around to the other side, perhaps due to his ‘gigantic dog rubbing against it.’ Or, as he jokingly suggested, maybe it was the work of ghosts.

The Frustration of Finding Lost Items​

This incident sparked a conversation about the all-too-familiar frustration of finding a lost item only after you’ve replaced it. Some commenters shared their philosophies and humorous strategies for coaxing lost items out of hiding, with one suggesting that simply announcing the replacement out loud can make the original item ‘troubled and insecure,’ prompting it to reveal itself.

Why Optical Illusions Trick Us​

But what is it about optical illusions that can so thoroughly trick our minds? These visual phenomena exploit the way our brains process information, using contrast, patterns, shapes, and colours to conceal objects within their surroundings. Our brains are wired to recognise familiar patterns, focus on contrasts, and group elements together. Hidden object illusions disrupt these cognitive shortcuts, effectively rendering objects invisible until our brain ‘reconfigures’ and allows us to see the hidden item once more.


Have you ever had that moment where an item vanishes into thin air, only to magically reappear when you’re least prepared, like some sort of Houdini act? Or maybe you’ve been utterly bamboozled by an optical illusion that had you questioning if your eyesight was still covered by the warranty? We want to hear your wildest ‘I swear it was just here!’ moments.


And for the brave souls who spotted the Apple Pencil in the photo without the red circle — you’re basically a visual Sherlock Holmes, and we bow to your skills.

Remember, these brain teasers are more than just fun — they’re a fantastic way to keep our minds sharp as you navigate the golden years. So, go ahead, exercise that noggin!

Do you have a favourite optical illusion? Were you able to find the pen before you were shown where it was? Tell us in the comments below!