Hurricane Hattie in the year 1961 devastated the small country of Belize in Central America
An important bridge was ruined which connected the North to the South side of the town
Many folks were stranded and could not get across until a temporary bridge could be built
The government decided to erect a pontoon bridge and volunteers came from all around
Many noisy children played close to the area as the bridge slowly began to take shape
The workmen were on a very tight schedule because a date was set for the grand opening
The effects of the Hurricane could not dim the excitement of the people who waited to see it
The men worked hard until the sun set each day and their joy was expressed through singing
A six year old child asked her mother to take her for a walk across the new pontoon bridge
But being cautious the mother heeded her premonitions that there was something wrong
Although the child begged her in tears, the loving mother refused the request of her daughter
Her small heart was broken as the sad little girl thought that the bridge was built very strong
On the day of the opening a band played lively tunes and the Prime Minister gave a speech
All the workmen stood in a line as they were thanked for the great work which they had done
The little girl's father encouraged his wife to take their child to the ceremony and to go across
But the mother stuck to her gut-feelings and remained firm in not taking the child to see the fun
An excited crowd rushed over the bridge and cars blowed their horns as they drove across
Suddenly a crashing sound could be heard as the drums holding up the bridge slowly sank
Into the murky river fell the cars along with all the people who were walking across the bridge
Cries of horror and screams of fright filled the morning air from those along the river's bank
:*: A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water, supported by
a barge or barrels called "pontoons" to support the bridge deck and its heavy loads. While
pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time.
