Short books: Who moved my cheese?- Reflection

Title of the book: Who moved my cheese?

Author: Dr Spencer Johnson

The genre of the book: Self-help

Why was this title selected: The title “Who moved my cheese “is an allegory which the author has used to talk about real-life issues and send a broad message to the reader.

Key Characters of the book: Two mice Sniff and Scurry and Little people Ham and Hew. The names of the little people are metaphors which are taken from the phrase “hem and haw” which represents indecisiveness.

The setting of the book: Maze which has Cheese Station C and Station N where is a supply for cheese for mice and little people. The maze represents the environment where you spend time looking for what you want and Cheese is a metaphor for what we want in life. e.g. job, relationship, money, freedom, health etc. Station C is where we are today and Station N represents change. The characters represent us.

Sections of the book: The book is divided into three sections.

1. Gathering

2. The story Who moved my cheese?

3. A Discussion

The plot of the book: The book is a parable which involves four characters who live in a Maze. They are two little mice Sniff and Scurry and two little people Hem and Haw. They were living happily in the maze with the cheese they got to nourish themselves. Every day they would spend time in the maze looking for their cheese. Sniff and Scurry used simple techniques to search while the little people with their complex brain used sophisticated methods to search for cheese. All was going well as all four of them had found Cheese Station C where they were getting a daily supply of cheese. Hem and Haw had moved their house very close to this station and had dreams of their own as they thought they have their life settled. They never noticed that the cheese supply at Station C is getting reduced day by day. They feel devastated when they see no cheese one day. There is no effect of this on the two mice. Sniff and Scurry immediately accept the change and move on in the maze searching for new cheese. The little people feel that the situation is unfair with them and there is some scandal and they decide to wait for new stock of cheese. They even try to make a hole in Station C but couldn’t find cheese. The days pass by and they are left hungry and weak. They were still clinging to the fact that new cheese will come one day. While the mice were away and had found their new cheese. It takes time but one of the little people Haw realizes that he has to overcome his fears and move in the maze and search for new cheese. Haw used his imagination to paint the picture of cheese with realistic details and decides to get of his comfort zone and adapt to change. He gets discouraged at times while moving in the maze but laughs at his own folly to move ahead. He realizes that Ham and Hew never paid attention to the decreasing stock at Station C otherwise they could have analyzed the situation a little early. While moving in the maze in search of new cheese Haw writes the lesson learnt in the journey which would also help Hem to follow him if he decides to. At last, Haw finds the new stock of cheese at Station N where he sees Sniff and Scurry already present. Haw summarizes all his lessons learnt on the wall of Station N with cheese in the centre.

Your personal opinion about the book: Life requires a high level of risk and adventure. The most important things are that change is inevitable. This books motivates us to accept change, adapt to change and change oneself. We have to come out of our comfort zone, accept our fears and move forward. It is rightly said in the book “Move with the cheese”.

Have you read something like this before? Can you talk about that experience ?: I was able to relate the book “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. This book also talks about overcoming your fear. Even the book “FISH” is relatable.

Should people read this book ?: A must-read for everyone. I have already purchased the book and I recommend you all to keep a copy of this book with you. I had read this book but re-reading has given a different insight.

Key takeaways: I am writing down the lines from the book which Haw wrote on the wall of Station “N”. They should be read every day is what I feel.

1. Change Happens

2. Anticipate change

3. Monitor change

4. Adapt to change quickly

5. Change

6. Enjoy Change

7. Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again

Based on the present situation in the world and government decisions around us we need to start searching for Station “N”. Change before it is time to change.

Regards,

Bhargavi.