Question

Why did the children want to laugh and cry on hearing old hauser?

Answer 1

In reference to the story 'The Last Lesson' by Alphonse Daudet, the children wanted to laugh and cry on hearing old hauser because it was a moment filled with varied emotions. On the one hand it was humorous how such an old man reading out alphabets from a children's book, his voice trembling with emotion. At the same time, it was sad to see how desperate he was to try and learn something, because he no longer will have the opportunity to study French. It was a further reminder to them of how this was their last ever lesson. 

Answer 2

When the kids sang their song ba, be bi, bo, bu; below the house of the old Hauser, he put on his spectacles and hold his textbook and began spelling out the alphabets. He was screaming; his sound trembled with the sentiment and it was the funniest movement to hear him that the kids desired to laugh and cry.