writing python extension modules

[Adonis]

is there a simple hello world style program that can show me the extreme
basics on writing python extensions, i do not need some big code just
simple, and i can easily pick up the rest as i go along, i have googled, and
have checked out activestate, and nothing, in particular i will be compiling
in msvc++6sp5, but want to maintain a xplatform touch to it.

any jelp would greatly be appreciated.

Adonis