The story begins with each character successful in locating his or her daily dose of cheese through established routines. They are comfortable in locating where the cheese is located, and some are proud, possessive, and turf-orientated when it comes to their cheese. Alas, one day they arrive to find their cheese is no longer there. Sniff immediately searches for new cheese with Scurry quickly following. These are simple, no-nonsense mice.
Haw stands frozen in shock.
These two mice resist and fear change and are unable to cope with the unexpected. They nearly starve, as they do nothing, expecting things to return to the way they were. Together they lament that this should not happen to them because they are entitle to the cheese. Finally, Haw, thin and starving, realizes the need to find new cheese. They Keep Moving the Cheese.