Jolee: Harass & Midge

If you've followed me for a while, you've probably seen my elephant characters, Harass and Midge before. You might even know their story: they were separated one day during a parade, then re-united two years later.

You may not know Midge was originally supposed to die, though. Harass would grow up mute and fearful of other elephants. I didn't believe in happy endings back in 2009 when these characters were first created, and I was going through an especially rough time then! Thankfully, Jim saved Harass from that terrible fate with this comic:

Artwork by Shojojim@deviantART

This comic is very symbolic, and special to me on many levels. It also marks the first time Harass ever spoke out loud! If you're wondering why she's always shouting "brother", now you know.

The Sakar tree she was often drawn near or under was significant because it was the same one she and Midge planted together the spring before they were separated. She sought refuge under it while escaping the crowds after losing Midge. It became her home.

Sakar trees are fictional; they only exist in Harass and Midge's universe. Fast-growing and colourful, they bear a heart-shaped fruit year-round that tastes similar to strawberries.

I've never totally nailed down the design for the tree because, to be honest, I don't think it matters. In my mind, I view them as kind of a cross between a giant beanstalk and a dead willow, but there's no 'wrong' way to interpret them! In the beginning, Sakar trees didn't even produce any fruit. The small, white flowers sometimes found growing near Sakar trees did.

Artwork by Shojojim@deviantART

Beanstalk inspired Sakar tree from 2009

The world in which Harass and Midge reside is populated not just by elephants, but by all sorts of creatures. However, "speciesism" is rampant, and most animals live in communities made up of their own kind. This is especially true for elephants, who are some of the worst offenders when it comes to judging others based on species! In general, elephants are very snobbish - even looking down on members of their own species if they don't live up to certain standards. Midge is guilty of this himself! For example, he has no patience with elephants who are even slightly socially awkward. Elephants are expected to, in all ways, act with grace, and put on airs of sophistication (even if it must be faked).

The irony is that Harass is everything Midge despises about other elephants, but doesn't notice because he loves her so much. When they were first re-united, Harass was almost feral in many ways. She didn't speak or make eye contact, and abhorred any sort of physical touch, yet he's her pride and joy! His friends regard Harass somewhat as a "wild animal" - permanently damaged and not fit to live among civilised elephants. Thankfully, they have enough sense to keep their opinions to themselves in Midge's presence.

I should mention there are many elephant communities across the globe. Harass and Midge are African bush elephants, but there are also Indian elephants, pygmy elephants, etc. and each group has their own unique culture! In the past, these different "races" of elephants didn't always get along. Sometimes they still don't. That's why the elephant parade is so special. It's an annual event that passes through Harass and Midge's community and is attended by thousands of elephants. During the week-long parade, the different tribes of elephants proudly march together across the land. They also participate in games, gift-giving, singing/dancing, etc. Basically, it promotes togetherness and harmony! (As a bonus fun fact, this scene from my favourite movie was what inspired the elephant parade)

Artwork by Shojojim@deviantART

Harass had always been a clingy, sensitive child, but after losing her parents, her fear of others had become almost unmanageable. Se was excited, but also very nervous to be attending her first elephant parade with Midge - considered a rite of passage for her kind!

When they arrived, she quickly found herself overwhelmed by the massive gathering of elephants. So many unfamiliar faces all in one place was panic-inducing for her! Midge fumbled to light a cigarette, letting go of his sister's hand just briefly. Distracted by all the new sights and sounds, Harass didn't realise she was falling behind. Finally, she reached for her brother, only to find he had disappeared in the crowd, and she was now totally surrounded by strangers. Her first instinct was to hide.

She fled the parade, and didn't stop running until she came across a lone Sakar tree on a hill - something familiar. She decided she'd wait there until her brother came to collect her, not realising she'd only made the situation worse. Like I mentioned earlier, she was originally going to remain underneath that tree for the rest of her life - mute, and forever growing more fearful of other elephants by the day. Now, she gets rescued by her brother at the age of five - two years after being separated. Still sad, but not nearly as tragic a story as it previously was!

Midge spent the next several weeks searching for his lost little sister with no luck until his friends convinced him it was time to let go. Unable to live with his guilt, he packed up and decided to start over somewhere new. He eventually settled in another elephant community, working as a saucier in a high-class restaurant. It would be two long, stressful years before he could be persuaded by his fellow kitchen-workers to attend another elephant parade and be reunited with Harass - completely by accident!

Breaking away from the festivities to have a smoke, Midge tried in vain not to let his mind wander to his sister. Everything reminded him of her. He recalled her nervous excitement that fateful morning as they'd joined the parade, hand-in-hand. He gritted his teeth as he thought back to how inattentive he'd been - overlooking Harass' anxiety to light a cigarette. He had let go of her hand.

He walked, almost as if trying to escape his thoughts. As if putting enough distance under his heels could magically make the guilt vanish. Even after the laughter and cheering of the other elephants in the parade began to fade, he continued walking. He walked off a second cigarette, and then a third, before stopping to take notice of his surroundings. He recognised this place. In trying to forget about his sister, he'd subconsciously led himself back to the very place they'd planted a Sakar tree together years ago. It had grown to an impressive size for a Sakar tree; he barely recognised it! He did, however, recognise the sleeping grey figure curled up on the grass beneath. The rest is history!

Artwork by Shojojim@deviantART

There's some other stuff you might not know about these characters, too. Like that Harass' first appearance was in a comic I drew as a senior in high school: