Review: Who Moved My Cheese?

I found this interesting piece of writing online about change and behavioral adaptation. As someone interested in understanding the inner processes of the human mind, I am quite fascinated by behavioral patterns and their implications on anticipatory decision making. I thought it apt to draft a short review/summary of my take on the writing. I have also linked the PDF of the original book here for you to give it a read!

So basically the story depicts four types of personality traits through the characters. Hem represents stubbornness, Haw represents continuous struggle for goals, while the mice represent adaptation to natural change. The short-story revolves around constant changes in the characters’ environment. They try their best to achieve their atomic reward i.e. CHEESE! However, the difference in the characters' approaches occurs in their reaction towards the change. The mice adapt quickly as they observed little changes on daily basis. Hem is reluctant to change at any cost. However, Haw is a bit different than the rest. Initially, he acts like Hem but when he observes that things were not going according to plan, he begins to think differently and finally leaves Hem to search for cheese, as the former runs out of it.

Haw realizes that the long journey ahead through the maze is not an easy one. He scribbles his feelings as he travels, each word representing his changed perception of the world. He also laughs at his own foolishness that even with an intellectual mind, he could not figure out earlier that he had to change as early as possible. This adventurous journey to find new cheese eliminates his fear of trying new experiences in life. This behavior accurately portrays elements from human nature. We are afraid to settle in a new environment possibly due to little or no experience there and observe the bizarre situation from a pessimistic point of view. Positive aspects are not given appropriate weightage.

Haw seems disappointed when he finds the empty cheese stations. However, he continues his search, thinking of the reward he would get at the end of the day. During his journey, Haw feels quite relaxed even without finding any cheese, possibly because he had overcome his fear of the unknown. After encountering several failures, Haw meets with success in finding cheese. He brings it to his friends and they all seem to enjoy it. Overall, it can be analyzed that change should be observed as a positive entity in the long run, though it may seem daunting initially. It should actually be envisioned in realistic detail with all facts and figures. Lastly, change can possibly lead to something better but we have to be open to accepting it as something inevitable.

Fin.