The Juniper Tree

Trying to place the boy from the Juniper Tree in a category of human or animal is hard. In some myths or wives tales or religious beliefs (whichever you prefer) there are tales of birds who are the souls of the past; they seem to be the human but in animal form as a means of guidance, protection or fore-warning. In the case of the boy I would assume that the tales would be true, the spirit of the boy is in this bird. I would suggest that the whole belief in reincarnation could be placed within this story along with the myth belief as to why the boy came back as a bird which is interesting in its own right. The song that the bird/boy sings could be an indication of actually being him to his family. Though birds sing many ways this song was specific such that the family knew it was him which was significant for the boy to do in order to get recognized but also I would assume for the story to come full circle. As far as others transformations, this one would be the only one not aided in. He transformed on his own and couldn't transform back to an original "human" though he portrayed qualities of a human. Nevertheless, I feel his being turned into a bird in the first place was aided by a force if not his own yet he has to stay as a bird and not ever return to the human realm.