def something(a):
  """ this function expects a parameter that should be a string literal,
  the function uses this string literal to make a drawing and display it
  in Python shell """

  if type(a) == type("abc"):
    print()
    print(a*10)
    print(a*15)
    print("-"*20,a)
    print(a*15)
    print(a*10)

  else:
    print()
    print("the parameter's value provided is not a string!")

something("$")
something("+")
something("abc")
something(10)


#-------------------------
# IN-CLASS ACTIVITY 2
#-------------------------
# Modify the function above to print out a square/rectangle with
# symbol in variable 'a' as border.
# For example, the function call something("$") should produce
# $$$$$$$
# $     $
# $     $
# $     $
# $$$$$$$
#
# send the program to my e-mail: natna20@gmail.com
#