Who Moved My Cheese? is a 1998 self-help novel by Spencer Johnson. An allegory for dealing with motivation in the business world, it outlines different changes that happen in an individual’s personal and work lives. It frames these narratives of change in the lives of four characters, two mice and two “little people” looking for cheese. The novel was a New York Times best seller after its release, has been translated into thirty-seven languages, and is one of the most well-known motivational books for businesspeople.
The novel begins by introducing its four characters: the mice Sniff and Scurry, and two little people named Hem and Haw (after the colloquial phrase for circular, indecisive logic). All four characters live in a maze that represents the corporate world’s complex social environment. There, they are in constant search for cheese, which symbolizes personal fulfillment. The characters start off without cheese, but eventually, the mice pair with the humans and wander the labyrinthine world to find it. Eventually, both of the mouse-human pairs fall upon a hallway filled with cheese at a location called Cheese Station C. Elated to have finally found what they are looking for, the humans ration off their cheese consumption, becoming obsessive and covetous.
One day, Sniff and Scurry come to Cheese Station C to eat, but there is no cheese left. Unsurprised, having seen the cheese supply diminish over time as the humans consumed it, they partner up to look for a new source of cheese. The same day, Hem and Haw come to Cheese Station C and see that the cheese is gone. Outraged, Hem asks who moved the cheese; he and Haw had expected the supply to last forever. Because the humans are completely unprepared, they blame the external world for their fortune and lament the injustice of the universe. Haw recommends that they look for more cheese but is rebuffed by Hem, who asserts that they are victims.
Sniff and Scurry, meanwhile, find a new location called Cheese Station N that has a new supply of cheese. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw continue to argue about how to proceed, blaming each other for their predicament. Once again, Haw proposes that they find a new source of cheese, but Hem cannot conceive of leaving their established routine. They simmer in this state of inaction for a while, growing hungrier and hungrier without a plan. One day, Haw’s fears about the future finally become too powerful to suppress. He laughs ironically at his condition and resolves to have a sense of humor. He decides to move on by himself, entering the maze and writing a message for Hem that reads “If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct.”
Haw continues on his voyage, writing motivational quotes on the walls of the maze to keep himself going. Sometimes overcome with fear despite his self-assurance, he finds small sc-aps of cheese to keep himself fed as he continues searching for a new supply of cheese. Eventually, Haw has an epiphany: The cheese is not naturally scarce, but supply has dwindled everywhere because of people’s constant craving and greed. When he stops at a cheese station that has been completely looted, he starts fearing the unknown once more. This time, however, his new knowledge about human greed and discontent comforts him. He manages to enjoy life despite the seeming impossibility of finding cheese. He states that freedom can be found only once one relinquishes attachment to fear. When he finds yet another empty cheese station, Haw resolves to find Hem and share some of his residual sc-aps to sustain him.
When Haw finds Hem, Hem rebuffs the offer of cheese. Haw heads back into the labyrinth yet again, going deeper than ever before by following new trails of cheese. He leaves more and more inspirational messages on the wall, hoping not only that they will keep him going, but also that they might inspire anyone who follows in his tracks. One day, he finds Cheese Station N full of cheese, including types he has never seen. He considers this verification that he is in the right mindset. After he has his fill, he ruminates and thinks momentarily about returning to Hem. Ultimately, he decides to move on and let Hem figure it out himself. He writes a series of life-help rules on the wall of Cheese Station N for future passersby.