Book Critique: Who Moved My Cheese?

Johnson, Spencer. Who Moved My Cheese?  New York: G.P. Putnum’s Sons, 1999.

Summary

            Johnson’s short story, Who Moved My Cheese is a simple, yet effective metaphor for modern society and the work force.  In his story he uses simple characters of two mice (Sniff and Scurry), and two “little people” (Hem and Haw), to represent the various personalities we all possess. Some of us may identify more closely with one character than the others, but one common characteristic is that we all possess a want or desire in life: our cheese.  In the story, all four characters search through the maze and find their cheese and are happy with it.  Then, as conditions change the cheese disappears, causing the characters to react in different ways.  Sniff and Scurry instantly adapt, search for new cheese, and find it in another part of the maze.  Sniff and Scurry represent the fearful, overanalyzing characters who resist change and demand that the conditions return to “normal.”  As Hem and Haw remain in the current location, Haw slowly begins to “see the Writings on the Wall” and slowly adapts and overcomes his fear.  Hem, on the other hand, remains fearful and resistant to change.  In the end, Haw learns that change needs to be anticipated and even expected; that we must overcome our fear of change; and that we must adapt to change, following our cheese or searching for new cheese.  It is more than a story of finding success, it is a story about finding success in an era of constant change.

Critique

            It’s interesting that Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese is the last reading I complete for this class, the shortest reading I completed, and the most beneficial.  My three previous readings were somewhat helpful, but really did not hit home.  This story, which only took around an hour to read, could not have come at a more appropriate time in my life.  The characters of the story fit so perfectly with the various personalities in society.  I think to all the changes occurring currently in education, especially in my own school, and I can clearly identify the “Hems, the Haws, and the Sniff and Scurrys”.  This past week at a critical faculty meeting, I heard the Hems yelling at our principal when she explained enormous changes that are to come at our school.  The words I heard from these people were, “What about my benefits?” and “That’s not what I am entitled to!” phrases identical to those used by Hem in the story.  It was fascinating.  As the story progressed I clearly began to identify myself with Haw, resistant to change at first, but who slowly read the writings on the wall, leading him to new cheese.  Although, Haw was not vigilant of change that was occurring to cheese, I have been aware of changes occurring in our field.  I consider myself well anticipated for the changes that are unfolding, yet I do possess some of that same fear as Haw. I see that my cheese may be moved, but I have been scared to look at other schools, comfortable with where I am.  I see other jobs opening up, but I choose not to look in case my cheese doesn’t move.  But just as Johnson suggests, I need to “smell my cheese often so I know when it is getting old” and remain vigilant, keeping my options open.  This small story has helped me realize that in a field such as education, my cheese will CONSTANTLY be moved, and I must therefore never consider myself “comfortable.”  I am going to recommend this book to our entire faculty in hopes that some of the Hems and Haws at my school will embrace the change and “keep moving with the cheese.”