Published in 1998, the work Who stole my cheese? by psychologist Spencer Johnson has been translated into 26 languages and was adapted into an animated film. It’s the astonishing story of four characters who move through a labyrinth, in search of cheese. This symbolizes our desires for happiness and success, the personal, family or professional goals that we set for ourselves.
Who stole my cheese? is a metaphor for what we want in life: a good job, a fulfilling romantic relationship, money, possessions, health or peace of mind. The story takes place in a labyrinth, which represents the place where we look for all this; it could be our family, the community we live in, the company we work for…
This smiling fable, well known to experts in personal developmentpositions us in the face of our fears, our inhibitions and our prejudices in the face of change. It explores the different ways of reacting when the world and living conditions change around us. As such, the story reveals powerful truths that resonate within us.
The four characters are two mice, Flair and Flèche, and two mini-humans, Flounder and Baluchon:
- Arrow is in action.
- Flair trusts his instincts.
- Flounder fears change and rejects it.
- Baluchon adapts to change.
In their maze, all four look for cheese, which symbolizes . Together, they represent our human spirit. Indeed, we all have a part of us that acts, trusts our instincts, fears change and another part that adapts to it.
The scenario of Who stole my cheese?
Every morning, Flair, Flèche, Baluchon and Flounder put on their sneakers and go in search of cheese, which is the most important thing for them. One fine day, they come across a huge reserve of cheese. What a miracle!
It’s the time of abundance. Baluchon and Flounder get up later and later to go to the reserve. They are serene because they have enough cheese for eternity. They even throw away their sneakers, thinking they will never need them again. They get stuck in a routine and no longer pay attention to what is happening around them.
Flair and Flèche take advantage of this mine of cheese but remain attentive to the environment. They notice that the reserve is decreasing inexorably. They prefer to keep their sneakers so that they can be put on again if necessary.
The change
One morning, disaster strikes: the cheese supply is exhausted. This doesn’t surprise the two mice who were preparing for it. They put on their sneakers again and set off, without delay, in search of a new source of cheese. They accept change and respond accordingly.
On the other hand, Flounder and Baluchon do not understand and are petrified. They are negative and this prevents them from reacting.
Baluchon hesitates. He begins to think differently, he suggests imitating Flair and Flèche and going in search of a new supply of cheese. Flounder categorically refuses, he hopes that things will go back to the way they were before.
Watch the animated film to discover how the characters’ behaviors will evolve…
The lessons of Who stole my cheese?
Here are the six lessons from Spencer Johnson’s work:
- Change is inevitable – The cheese keeps changing place.
- Anticipate change – Prepare for the cheese to move.
- Stay alert – Rsniff the cheese regularly to know when it is getting too old
- Adapt quickly – The sooner you forget the old cheese, the sooner you will enjoy the new.
- Take advantage of change – Get a taste for adventure and enjoy the flavor of the new cheese.
- Evolve and win – Move with the cheese
The lessons of Who stole my cheese? are simple and powerful: cheese always changes place or, in other words, change is inevitable! So, always be ready to bounce back to enjoy life and not suffer from it. Anticipate change, adapt, learn to welcome and appreciate it. Not only will you be less caught off guard, but you will also experience more success and fulfillment in all aspects of your personal and professional life.
The book (and the cartoon from which it is taken) Who stole my cheese ? is aimed at everyone. He is charming, inspiring and instructive.
By the way, do you also have a “big cheese” in your life that you think will last forever?
