In the year 1414 Zheng He, Grand Eunuch of the Three Treasures, loaded some exotic creatures onto his junk and headed back to China from the coast of East Africa. One, the long-necked K'i-lin, astounded Emperor Yu and his court. It was unlike anything they had ever seen, with its "luminous spots like a red cloud or purple mist." The K'i-lin was poked, prodded, observed from every angle, much commented upon but little understood.
The World Cup is not unlike the K'i-lin. It's been the greatest thing to hit America since the invasion of the Beatles. It's the worst thing to...
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