Answer:
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson is a book that teaches valuable lessons on how to deal with change in life and work. The characters react differently when their cheese supply runs out, showing different attitudes and behaviors towards change. I identify with Haw, one of the two Littlepeople in the story. Haw is initially reluctant and fearful of change, but he eventually learns to overcome his doubts and embrace new opportunities. He realizes that change is inevitable and that he needs to adapt to survive and thrive. He also learns to enjoy the process of finding new cheese and to have a positive outlook on life. I think Haw's journey reflects my own experience of dealing with change. I have faced many changes in my personal and professional life, such as moving to a new city, switching careers, and starting a family. At first, I was hesitant and scared of leaving behind my comfort zone and facing the unknown. I resisted change and hoped that things would go back to normal. But I soon realized that change was not only necessary but also beneficial for me. I learned new skills, met new people, and discovered new possibilities. I also learned to appreciate the present moment and to look forward to the future. Two areas of symbolism in the book that relate to the subject of change are the maze and the cheese. The maze represents the environment where we live and work, which is constantly changing and challenging us. The maze has many corridors and corners, some leading to cheese and some leading nowhere. The maze also has dangers and traps, such as dead ends, dark alleys, and predators. The maze symbolizes the uncertainty and complexity of life and the need to be flexible and creative in finding our way. The cheese represents what we want in life, such as happiness, success, wealth, health, or love. The cheese can be different for each person, depending on their values and preferences. The cheese can also change over time, as our needs and desires evolve. The cheese symbolizes the motivation and satisfaction that we seek in life and the need to be aware and proactive in pursuing our goals. An example of how these symbols apply to a real-life situation of change is the emergence of Uber and Lyft as alternatives to traditional taxi services. Uber and Lyft are like new cheese that appeared in the maze, offering customers more convenience, affordability, and choice. The traditional taxi services are like Hem, who refused to accept the change and stuck to their old cheese. They complained about the unfairness of the situation and tried to stop the change by lobbying or protesting. They suffered from losing customers and revenue as a result. On the other hand, some taxi drivers are like Haw, who decided to adapt to the change and join Uber or Lyft as drivers. They saw the opportunity to earn more money, have more flexibility, and meet more customers. They enjoyed the new cheese and were open to more changes in the future. The book Who Moved My Cheese? shows us that change is inevitable and that we can choose how to respond to it. We can either resist it like Hem or embrace it like Haw. We can either be stuck in the past or move forward with courage and optimism.