Jean-Luc Picard was first and foremost an explorer. As a young boy he was fascinated with maps of his own planet, other planets; also of myths and legends of lands far lost from proper thought of any still alive.
While other children his age would run around playing games outside he would sit alone in his room hunting his books to learn of places in which he could own day touch. Legends he could unlock.
When his family would laugh saying a boy from the vineyards would never find or see these great places he decided to join Starfleet.