The Second-Oldest Bridge

The country in question is small and only has one major river running through it, so it is no surprise that the second-oldest bridge stands right next to the oldest bridge in the country. The second-oldest bridge is not jealous of her renowned sister. After all, there are many bridges younger than her - it is a comparatively illustrious thing to be the second-oldest bridge in the country. From where she rests she can see the pretty skirts and shapely legs of the oldest bridge - she has kept her looks, and even the most ornate architectural flourishes are still crisply defined in the pink sunlight. If the second-oldest bridge were the type to hold a grudge... But no.

Surprisingly few people walk across the oldest bridge - she sees the odd young couple, even the occasional suicide - but hundreds of people use the second-oldest bridge every day. Maybe thousands. From here you can see the oldest bridge in all her glory. People stop and look over the short stretch of muddy river, and rest their arms on the broad shoulders of the second-oldest bridge in the country, and she is content.