Sometime in the 90’s (released in ’98) Spencer Johnson, an M.D., penned a story about two mice and two ‘Littlepeople’, which serves as a metaphor for dealing with change in work and in life. The following is my analysis and understanding of what the author intended the reader gain from the story.
The Setting
Four characters search for cheese in a large maze, one day coming upon a large station of it. There’s the two mice, Sniff, who sniffs out change and sees it early, and Scurry, who takes action immediately (the mice) and Hem and Haw (the Littlepeople). Everyone reacts differently to their situation. The Littlepeople move their homes and build their social lives around the station. “Having cheese makes you happy,” says Hem.
When the cheese grows old, and then runs out, our characters must react to the situation. The mice don’t overanalyze or overcomplicate things; they just take off looking for new cheese. Hem and Haw, stand by, and complain that “it’s not fair.” Hem says they are entitled to the cheese. Haw suggests they find new cheese. Hem is too comfortable, and tells Haw ‘it’s too dangerous out there. I’m too old to change. I’m not interested in making a fool out of myself.’ Each day they find that no cheese has appeared in their station, and as they are denied, they have nightmares. ‘Sooner or later they have to put the cheese back’ says Hem.
Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry search for new cheese, with visions of the biggest cheese ever, in their minds.
Back at the station, Haw paints the most believable picture he can, imagining himself in the maze with a smile on his face. He realizes, even though the cheese being moved presents a challenge and that’s life. Life moves on. And so should we. If Sniff and Scurry could move on, so could Haw.
Haw puts his running shoes on and heads back into the maze. He has to find his own way, beyond his comforts and past fears. Throughout his journey, he learns valuable lessons and leaves handwriting on the wall, outlined below. Finally he finds his own way to the greatest supply of cheese, meeting up with Sniff and Scurry, and reflecting on the lesson he’s learned.
The Lesson
The more important something is, the more you want to hold onto it.
* If you don’t change, you can become extinct.
* What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
* It’s not good when you are so afraid that it keeps you from doing anything, BUT it’s better late than never.
* Take control, rather than let things happen to you.
* Be alert. Anticipate change. Expect it to happen. Trust basic instincts.
* Check yourself often, so you know when your ways are getting old.
* When you stop being afraid, you feel good.
* Just looking ahead is exciting.
* Movement in a new direction helps you find something new.
* Think of what you can gain, instead of what you can lose.
* If you would have moved sooner you would have found a good deal of new cheese.
