Rialto Bridge

Splash. Swish. The water sings a happy song below me. Little boats float by like sleepy ducks in a tub. I am big and strong, and my body is made of cool, smooth stone. When the sun shines, I glow. I stretch high over the sparkly green water like a giant stone rainbow. Above me, I feel happy feet go tap-tap-tap. Below me, long boats called gondolas glide with a gentle swoosh. Hello. I am the Rialto Bridge in the magical city of Venice.

Once upon a time, the bridges here were made of wood. They would wiggle and wobble when people walked on them. But a very clever man named Antonio da Ponte had a big, strong idea. In the year 1588, he decided to build a bridge that would not wobble, a bridge made of stone that would last forever. Many strong workers came to help him. It was like they were playing with giant building blocks. For three whole years, they carefully placed each big stone. In the year 1591, I was all finished. They even built little shops right on my back. They look like cozy little houses where people sell shiny treasures and colorful glass.

Why am I here. I am here to help people. I help them walk from one side of the big water road to the other. This big water road is called the Grand Canal. People walk over me to get to the busy market to buy yummy fruits and vegetables. For hundreds and hundreds of years, I have listened to happy songs from the boats below. I have felt the pitter-patter of happy feet from friends who visit from all over the world. I am a happy meeting place. I am a strong stone that holds happy stories and brings people together over the water.