import curses

stdscr = curses.initscr()
stdscr.keypad(True)

def add_text(text):
    stdscr.addstr(text)

def add_line(text):
    stdscr.addstr(text + '\n')

while True:
    # Disable echo to get the command key
    curses.noecho()
    c = stdscr.get_wch()
    if c == 'q':
        # Exit the while loop
        break
    elif c == 'e':
        # Enable echo to get user input
        curses.echo()
        s = stdscr.getstr(10)
        add_line('got: %s' % s)
    elif c == curses.KEY_LEFT:
        add_line('<-')
    elif c == curses.KEY_RIGHT:
        add_line('->')