Masters of rhyme

The rare Chinese folk art shulaibao flourishes, fades and returns again, Wen Zongduo reports.

Former US president Richard Nixon was surprised when Chinese folk artist Meng Xin performed rhythmic storytelling with a pair of ox scapulas when the former US leader visited Beijing in 1993.

The president said Americans had long had beef, but ancient Chinese were smart enough to turn ox bones into performance instruments.