Change can be tricky. Whether at work or in life, it often catches us off guard. In this short and clever fable, written by Dr. Spencer Johnson, we meet four characters—two mice and two little people—navigating a maze in search of cheese. The cheese represents what we value, and the maze? That’s the world around us, always shifting.
The way these characters react to losing their cheese says a lot about how we handle change:
Sniff is the planner—always alert and ready for the next move.
Scurry is the doer—when change comes, they dive right in.
Hem digs in, refusing to budge, hoping the old way will somehow work again.
Haw starts off stuck but eventually figures out that adapting isn’t so bad after all.
For me, the lesson is simple but powerful: Anticipate change, embrace it, and keep looking ahead. It’s a quick read, but it stays with you, especially if you’ve ever felt stuck as the world continues to turn.
Would I recommend it? Definitely—especially for anyone navigating transitions or looking to handle life’s curveballs with a bit more grace and adaptability.