How does the old woman thwart Lord Higa and save the village?

The old woman thwarts Lord Higa by using her cleverness and knowledge of local traditions. She concocts a plan to deceive him, presenting him with a false sense of security and leading him to believe he has the upper hand. By outsmarting him and rallying the villagers, she is able to unite them against the threat, ultimately saving the village from his tyranny. Her wisdom and resourcefulness demonstrate that strength does not always come from power, but from community and intelligence.