Script n00bie needing some help.

Hey all, I'm a UNIX newb.

I've been trying to get this script to work for a class and there's no
competent being in this campus to help me out.

Here it is:

>A SCRIPT<

### Display a 2-line prompt for input until no input s received.

input="a"
nullvar=""
echo "Word and Character Counter..."

    ###To prompt user to type words

while [ $input -ne $nullvar ]
  do
   echo "Type one or two words, then press <Enter>"
   echo "To end, just press <Enter>"
   read input                             ###To exit program or display
count output
echo $input > crap                  ###Stores the read var into file 'crap'
   if [ "$input" = "$nullvar" ]       ###if empty then you will exit
    then
     echo Exiting Program...
    else
     echo You typed `cat crap | wc -w` words and `cat crap | wc -c`
characters
echo    ###to insert blank line
fi
done

>A SCRIPT<

Basically, I'm trying to get input from keyboard, and that input has to be
either 1 or 2 words. If there is no input, the program exits. If there is
input, then the program counts the # of chars and # of words.

I would really appreciate the help... :)