1 – The Heist at the Valencia Art Museum
(Escuchar)
The night was quiet in Valencia. The streets were almost empty. The old museum looked beautiful under the lights. Inside, a man named Harry moved like a shadow. He was a thief — clever, careful, and very fast.
Harry had planned this robbery for weeks. He wanted one painting: “The Sunset Over the Sea”. It was worth five million euros. It was one of the most valuable paintings in the museum. Tonight, Harry would take it.
He opened a side door he had unlocked earlier. Every step he took on the marble floor made a soft sound. Security cameras moved slowly, but Harry knew their pattern. He timed his steps perfectly and moved past them without being seen.
Finally, he reached the painting. It was more beautiful than he imagined. The colors were warm, like fire in the sunset. Carefully, he lifted it from the wall and put it in a large black bag.
Without a sound, Harry climbed out of a window, dropped into the alley below, and disappeared into the night.
The next morning, Harry felt happy. The painting was safe in his apartment on the edge of the city. But he needed money, not art.
He called people he knew in the underground market. One name came up: a rich woman from Madrid who collected rare art. Her name was Clara.
Harry called her. “I have a painting for you,” he said.
“I will come to Valencia,” she said. “Bring the painting. I will bring the money.”
When Clara arrived, she looked like a real collector. She wore elegant clothes, dark sunglasses, and drove a small black car. Harry showed her the painting.
“It’s real,” he said proudly.
Clara nodded. “Here is your payment.” She gave him a heavy envelope. Inside was one million euros — not the full price, but still a lot of money.
“Thank you,” said Harry, smiling.
Clara smiled too, but it was not a friendly smile. It was calm and serious.
3 – The Trap
Harry started to leave. But he heard footsteps and voices.
“Police! Don’t move!”
Several officers entered the apartment. Clara took off her sunglasses.
“Harry, you are under arrest for stealing the Valencia Art Museum painting,” she said.
Harry was shocked. “You are not a collector?”
“No,” Clara said. “I am Detective Clara Ramos. You sold the stolen painting to the police.”
Harry tried to run, but the officers caught him quickly. They put handcuffs on his hands. The bag with the money and the painting fell to the floor. His plan had failed.
A few months later, Harry went to court. The judge said he must go to jail for one year.
When the cell door closed behind him, Harry sighed. “One year,” he said. “For five million euros.”
Outside, Detective Ramos looked at the museum. The painting was back in its place. The sun set, and the sky looked like the painting — orange and red. She smiled. Justice was beautiful.
English – Spanish Glossary
· Thief – ladrón
· Robbery – robo
· Valuable – valioso(a)
· Pattern – patrón
· Collector – coleccionista
· Payment – pago
· Detective – detective / policÃa investigador(a)
· Arrest – arrestar / detención
· Handcuffs – esposas
· Jail – cárcel
· Justice – justicia