def pad_left(orig, pad, new_length):
    """
    Pad a string on the left side.

    Returns a padded version of the original string.
    Caveat: The max length of the pad string is 1 character. If the passed
            in pad is more than 1 character, the original string is returned.
    """
            
    if len(pad) > 1:
        return orig
        
    orig_length = len(orig)
    
    if orig_length >= new_length:
        return orig

    return (pad * (new_length - orig_length)) + orig