Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD, is an inspirational advice book on how people and businesses can respond to changing times and situations by learning how to adapt quickly and successfully. The book centers on a parable about two mice and two people who live in a maze and search for cheese—the things each wants in life—and what happens when the cheese they’ve been enjoying disappears. First published in 1998, the book proved popular in both the business and self-help categories; it became a number-one bestseller and has sold more than 25 million copies around the world.

Author Spencer Johnson, with Kenneth Blanchard PhD, previously wrote The One Minute Manager, also a major bestseller. Johnson published several sequels to that book, along with a series of inspirational books for children.

The ebook version of the 2002 edition of Who Moved My Cheese? forms the basis for this study guide.

Summary

A group of classmates meets for a reunion. They talk about their lives so far and how they’ve dealt with problems and crises at home and work. One member, Michael, describes how his company almost floundered before he heard a story that changed his attitude and helped turn the company around. He tells the story to the group:

Long ago and far away, two mice and two very small people live together in a large Maze where they search for cheese. The mice, Sniff and Scurry, find a big stash of their favorite cheese; nearby, the “Littlepeople,” Hem and Haw, also locate plenty of “Cheese,” in their case, the things in life that people desire. They all settle in to enjoy the bounty.

The mice keep their running shoes close by and daily check the station for any changes—cheese going bad or running short—while the humans store away their shoes, put on slippers, and simply enjoy their pile of Cheese.

One day, both types of Cheese run out. The mice, who saw it coming, immediately put on their running shoes and begin to search the rest of the Maze for more cheese. Sniff smells where a new supply might be, and Scurry runs quickly to that area. Soon, they find a huge stash of cheese and begin to enjoy it.

Hem and Haw, meanwhile, are shocked that their cushy life has come to an end. Hem is angry and believes others have moved the Cheese. Hem also believes they’re entitled to their Cheese and should wait for the others to return it. Haw isn’t so sure and wonders if they should search for new Cheese elsewhere. Hem refuses to budge. After many hungry days, realizing that the Cheese won’t simply reappear, Haw finally heads out, scared and lonely, to search the Maze for more Cheese.

Haw soon finds bits of Cheese here and there. Despite feelings of fear and confusion, Haw finds that the search is an invigorating adventure and not at all a disaster. As insights occur, Haw writes them on the walls of the Maze, hoping Hem finally will venture out and use the notes as guides.

One day, Haw finds the giant Cheese stash where Sniff and Scurry now live. Overjoyed, Haw settles in but is careful to keep the running shoes nearby, in case this batch of Cheese runs out. Haw also takes daily tours of the Cheese station, checking for moldy cheese or other signs of impending trouble. Haw wonders whether Hem ever will venture out to find more Cheese and whether the notes on the wall will help Hem’s search.

On hearing this story, the classmates discuss how it might apply to their own lives. Michael is grateful that they appreciate the parable, and he hopes they’ll share it with others.