Python: Is there an equivalent of mid, right, and left from BASIC?

Question

I want to do something like this:

    >>> mystring = \"foo\"
    >>> print(mid(mystring))

Help!

Answer 1

This is Andy's solution. I just addressed User2357112's concern and gave it meaningful variable names. I'm a Python rookie and preferred these functions.

def left(aString, howMany):
    if howMany <1:
        return ''
    else:
        return aString[:howMany]

def right(aString, howMany):
    if howMany <1:
        return ''
    else:
        return aString[-howMany:]

def mid(aString, startChar, howMany):
    if howMany < 1:
        return ''
    else:
        return aString[startChar:startChar+howMany]