Both of them were endued with strength and intelligence. Clever in catching their prey, though near, the mongoose and the owl could not make the mouse and the cat break that agreement.
बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च सुवृत्तौ चाप्युपासितौ। अशक्तौ तु नयात् तस्मात् सम्प्रधर्षयितुं बलात्॥