Assignment 1 submitted

Assignment 1 completed. I have few doubts.

what the two statements give different result?
Statement 1:
 a='Ho! ' * 3
 b='Merry Christmas!' 
 a+b
 "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas"

Statement 2:
a='Ho!' * 3
 b='Merry Christmas!' 
 puts a+b
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas

What does it mean? 
You need to give answer in text.