Who Moved My Cheese?

The central message of Who Moved My Cheese? is that change is unavoidable, and resisting it often leads to unnecessary suffering. The characters in the book—the mice Sniff and Scurry and the “Littlepeople,” Hem and Haw—each symbolize different responses to change. While Sniff and Scurry consistently pivot to anticipate imminent change, Hem remains in paralyzing denial, and Haw undergoes a dramatic inner journey from resistance to adaptability. Johnson juxtaposes the four characters’ responses to suggest that people who adapt quickly, like the mice, will find new opportunities more easily, while those who give in to their fears, like Hem, will remain stuck in less-than-ideal circumstances. While the setting of the cheese-filled maze is highly fantastical, the parable is designed to deliver practical lessons on how to embrace flexibility in the real world. For instance, businesses that pivot quickly in response to market disruptions will outperform those that remain attached to obsolete models. Johnson also seeks to improve individual decision-making processes by implying that people who embrace career shifts and lifestyle changes with curiosity rather than fear are more likely to thrive.