class Solution:
    def mergeAlternately(self, word1: str, word2: str) -> str:

        i = 0
        j = 0
        answer = ""

        while (i<len(word1) and j<len(word2)):
            answer += word1[i] + word2[j]
            i += 1
            j += 1

        while (i < len(word1)):
            answer += word1[i]
            i += 1

        while (j < len(word2)):
            answer += word2[j]
            j += 1

        return answer